Human Security or State Security? Afghan Refugees and Policy Dilemmas in Pakistan

Abstract

Between 2008 and 2022, Pakistan faced a complex policy dilemma in managing Afghan refugees, balancing humanitarian obligations with national security concerns. After hosting Afghan refugees for more than four decades, Pakistan's approach gradually shifted from humanitarian accommodation and regional solidarity to securitization, stricter documentation, border controls, and repatriation efforts. Analysis of secondary data shows that many refugees experienced legal uncertainty, limited access to education and healthcare, poor labor conditions, and pressure to return despite instability in Afghanistan. Simultaneously, Pakistan confronted genuine challenges, including terrorism risks, irregular migration, economic burdens, declining international assistance, and pressure on public services. The study argues that the human security perspective, which prioritizes refugee welfare and rights, weakened significantly after 9/11 and especially following the 2014 Army Public School attack. Sustainable refugee governance requires legal protection, fair documentation systems, regional cooperation, donor burden-sharing, and truly voluntary, safe repatriation processes.