ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s Senate Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) has reviewed the latest statistics on Afghan refugees, revealing that approximately 2.9 million Afghan nationals currently reside in the country.
According to a report by The Express Tribune, 1.4 million Afghan refugees are registered, while 700,000 remain undocumented. These figures were presented by the Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees during a meeting chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi at the Parliament House on Friday.
The Chief Commissioner provided a detailed briefing on the humanitarian aid being extended to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, outlining efforts to provide shelter, food, water, sanitation, education, and healthcare. Officials emphasized Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to refugee welfare despite economic challenges.
Funding Shortages Halt Refugee Development Projects
The committee was also updated on the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas Programme (RAHA), which was designed to improve infrastructure and services in regions accommodating large numbers of Afghan refugees. However, officials confirmed that development projects under RAHA were halted in 2024 due to a lack of funding.
Expressing concern over the funding shortfall, Senators Saadia Abbasi and Syed Masroor Ahsan urged the Pakistani government to seek international financial support for Afghan refugee programs. They also stressed the need for oversight to ensure that available funds are used efficiently to maximize benefits for refugees.
Senators Request Report on RAAST Project
The committee also directed officials to submit a comprehensive report on the RAAST project, another key initiative related to refugee management.
With the Afghan refugee crisis continuing to pose significant challenges, Pakistani lawmakers reiterated their commitment to addressing the issue while calling for greater international cooperation to support long-term solutions.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has intensified efforts to arrest and deport Afghan migrants. Some refugees have reported being detained despite possessing valid residency documents.
