Pak Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF), organized a webinar titled “Afghans in Pakistan: The Tale of Success and Failure”, on November 26, 2024. The event brought together distinguished experts, policymakers, and community leaders to discuss the Afghan refugee experience in Pakistan. Organized as part of the PAYF Webinar Series, the event was a platform for dialogue, analysis, and actionable recommendations on the humanitarian, economic, and socio-political aspects of hosting Afghan refugees.
Notably, for over 40 years, Pakistan has hosted one of the largest populations of Afghan refugees, balancing humanitarian obligations with socio-economic pressures. While the refugee community has seen successes in areas like education, trade, and integration, challenges remain, including gaps in policy, limited resources, and regional security issues.
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The event started with the opening remarks of the Director General of the Pak Afghan Youth Forum (PAYF) Salman Javed, who emphasized the significance of fostering stronger ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly through collaborative efforts that address shared challenges. He noted the importance of reframing the refugee narrative from a crisis to an opportunity, ensuring that both countries work towards mutual growth and stability.
Moderated by PAYF’s Iqra Naseer, the webinar featured a distinguished panel, including:
• Imtiaz Gul, Senior Journalist and former Director at the Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS)
• Fajer Rabia Pasha, Executive Director of the Pakistan Alliance for Girls Education (PAGE)
• Mohibullah Noori, CEO of the Fajristan Regional Integration Movement (FRIM)
• Hidayat Jan Tanai, Founder of the Afghanistan Solidarity for Social and Humanity Organisation (ASSHO)
Imtiaz Gul stressed the importance of revisiting Pakistan’s refugee policies to strike a balance between humanitarian needs and national security concerns. He noted past missteps, such as the overextension of resources, and suggested practical policy changes to address these issues.
Fajer Rabia Pasha shared her insights on the importance of education, particularly for Afghan girls. She emphasized that while there have been notable successes, barriers still exist, and targeted educational initiatives are essential for integrating Afghan refugees and empowering them to contribute meaningfully to Pakistani society.
Mohibullah Noori discussed the regional dimension of the Afghan refugee crisis, highlighting that political and security issues are key obstacles to addressing refugee challenges. He suggested that regional cooperation, similar to the European Union model, could foster collaboration between Pakistan and Afghanistan, turning refugees into assets for regional connectivity and economic growth.
Hidayat Jan Tanai focused on economic opportunities, particularly in the area of trade between Afghan refugees and local businesses in Pakistan. He called for policy reforms that could create a more inclusive environment for Afghan small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and further integrate them into the broader economy.
The discussions emphasized the need to reframe the narrative surrounding Afghan refugees, not as a crisis but as an opportunity. Panelists called for:
• Regional cooperation to address the root causes of displacement and enhance regional stability.
• Policy reforms to unlock the economic potential of Afghan refugees, especially in trade and entrepreneurship.
• Stronger educational initiatives, particularly for women and children, to promote long-term integration.
As the webinar (Afghans in Pakistan: The Tale of Success and Failure) concluded, the panelists agreed that a coordinated and forward-thinking approach is essential to transforming the Afghan refugee situation in Pakistan from a challenge into a catalyst for regional growth and stability.
