THE federal government has decided in principle to repatriate Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. These refugees have developed strong associations with the Pakistani people including business transactions.
Many Pakistani businesses and traders are under contractual obligations with the Afghan refugees. Economic relations between the two communities bring mutual benefit to both people. If these refugees are repatriated without being compensated, they will suffer for no fault of theirs.
Already there is a sense of apprehension among the Afghan refugees. Some of them were born and raised here and call Pakistani soil their homeland.
The federal government must come up with a humane and sagacious policy to reduce their misgivings.
Failure to do so will result in negating all the good that Pakistan did by generously offering its heart, hearth and hospitality for 36 years.
