Geography case study: Migration of Afghans to

Pakistan
During the 1980s, due to the Soviet War in Afghanistan, a large
number of people began leaving their country to neighboring
regions, such as India and Pakistan. Around 3 million Afghans left
their country due to political unrests, mass arrests and
executions, violations of human rights and the brutal civil war.
These afghan refugees were housed in 340 refugee camps in an
area between the borders, called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Another flux of migration occurred when U.S. forces began
bombing Al-Qaeda and Taliban targets after the 2001 September
11 attacks, causing people to flee from their country and into
Pakistan for safety. By 2001 there were around 5 million Afghans
in Pakistan. Pakistan housed the largest group of Afghans living
outside their country at the time.
There are mainly 4 different kinds of migrations in this case:
1. Labor migration
Labor migration returnees are increasing; primarily returning from
Iran and Pakistan. Their low economic status is a driver for the
recent migration and returns. Analysis of the labor migration
movements between Afghanistan and Pakistan illustrate that the
migration is irregular and undocumented.
2. Forced migration
Forced migration of Afghans occurs largely due to natural
disasters and conflict. Large amounts of asylum-seekers and
refugees from Afghanistan are also present in neighboring
countries as well as Europe, the US, etc.
3. Irregular migration
Trafficking of persons, especially children, either within
Afghanistan for labor and the sex industry, or in significant
numbers to Iran and Pakistan. Reliable statistics are hard to find,
as it happens illegally and on a daily basis.

4. Return migration:
Since 2002, return migration to Afghanistan has been significant
with over six million people returning to the country, the majority
of which are repatriating refugees from Pakistan and also Iran.
The present situation in Afghanistan is quite problematic. The
country has very little in the way of existing infrastructure, and no
real prospects for economic growth aside from the illegal drug
trade. Civilian casualties have increased rather than
decreased in recent years, and there are few signs
that Afghanistan is anywhere near becoming a safer place.
Moreover population always threatened security wise, especially
due to Taliban. Very poor education too for the younger
generation
Due to the overpopulation of Afghans in Pakistan, huge action has
been taken to send them back to their country. The cooperation of
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) has
helped to repatriate around 5 million Afghans back to their native
country. Currently, approximately 1.65 million refugees still
remain in Pakistan. However these numbers cannot be verified as
there are many Afghans living in Pakistan illegally, and also a
large number of people who transport back and forth without
documents on a daily basis.