Pakistan’s Refugees Policy: Implication for Af-Pak Bilateral Relations

Abstract

Pakistan and Afghanistan relations are uncertain despite having commonalities in culture, language, values, history, and religion. One factor is the interference of external forces in their bilateral relations. However, Pakistan has always taken Steps for cordial ties. Along with many other elements, Pakistan has provided shelter to Afghan refugees after 1979. It has hosted the highest number of Afghan refugees. After the Post-US Taliban government, Pakistan has been facing security and economic issues due to an increase in the number of refugees. Pakistan has made a policy to send back all the undocumented refugees to their countries. The main reason behind Pakistan's policy to send back all undocumented refugees to their countries is to make protected and defended soil. Unregistered Afghan refugees are large in number estimated at 1.7 million. This research aims to analyze the contemporary situation of Pakistan and Afghanistan relations in the context of the New Refugees Policy and its implications on bilateral ties.