Global Regional Review

Abstract

This article explores the legal position of Afghan refugees in Pakistan (as it has no refugee related legislation at national level nor a signatory to refugee related instruments at international level) in the light of . various agreements which it has concluded with the UNHCR and the Afghan government along with the various protections available under the 1973 Constitution. A total of eight agreements which started with the first one in 1988 have been concluded among the Government of Pakistan (GOP), the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Government of Afghanistan (GOA) under which various rights have been extended to them apart from their refugee status recognition. The Constitution of Pakistan also affords them certain fundamental rights irrespective of their status as they are currently living in Pakistan’s territorial jurisdiction, which enables them to claim those rights. Their life and liberty is as protected as any other citizen of Pakistan.

Authors

1-Muhammad Zubair
Associate Professor, Department of Law, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, KP, Pakistan.

2-Suhail Shahzad
Professor, Law College, University of Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.

3-Muhammad Aqeel Khan
Associate Professor, Department of Law, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, KP, Pakistan.

Keywords

Protection, Registration, Repatriation, Legislation, Safeguards, Screening

DOI Number

10.31703/grr.2019(IV-I).50

Page Nos

462-472

Volume & Issue

IV - I