This article delves into the educational challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Balochistan over four decades. Despite persistent struggles for fundamental rights and exclusionary practices, a resilient generation of refugees has emerged, navigating hurdles to pursue higher education in Pakistan. The narrative explores issues such as compromised education quality, language barriers, administrative hurdles during admissions, …

The Educational Odyssey of Afghan Refugees in Balochistan: Challenges and Triumphs Read More »

A few days back, Pakistan’s interior minister issued a statement stating the State’s intent to forcefully repatriate undocumented Afghan refugees amid the recent surge in acts of terrorism in its northwestern and southwestern provinces. In response, the Taliban government’s spokesperson asked Pakistani authorities to rethink their plan. Nonetheless, law enforcement agencies soon translated the interior …

What do the Refugees think? Read More »

The concept of social mobility, defined as the movement between different social groups and the associated advantages and disadvantages in terms of income, employment security, and opportunities for advancement, underscores the challenges faced by Afghan refugee women in Qadriabad, Quetta (Aldridge, April 2001). In South Asian societies, the social mobility of women is intricately linked …

Navigating Boundaries: The Dual Struggle of Afghan Refugee Women in Qadriabad, Quetta Read More »

This article explores the challenges faced by Bengali and Afghan refugees in Pakistan who, despite residing in the country for decades, are denied birthright citizenship and associated rights. The lack of identity cards becomes a tool for discrimination, leaving these communities vulnerable and excluded from essential services. The piece delves into the complexities of Pakistan’s …

Displacement and Lived Experiences of Citizenship of Bengali and Afghan refugee in Pakistan Read More »

The recent decision by the Pakistani government to forcibly deport undocumented Afghan refugees has sparked significant concerns, as it violates human rights conventions, international law, and challenges constitutional rights. The Ministry of Interior’s “Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan” has triggered a surge in arrests and detentions, impacting registered and undocumented refugees alike. The article emphasizes the …

Apex Committee’s Decision on Forced Deportation of Undocumented Afghan Refugees: A Moral and Legal Imperative Read More »

I recently achieved a significant milestone in my professional journey. Drawing from my experience as a research assistant at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, I recently completed a 4-month online course on Refugee and Forced Migration Studies in collaboration with the Refugee Studies Center (RSC), Refugee Led Research Hub (RLRH), University of Oxford, and …

Achieves Global Recognition in Refugee Studies Read More »

Afghan Hazara girls have made uncountable efforts to reach milestone success, and do wonders, be it in sports, education, recreational activities. But there has been uncertain future of Hazara youth, especially female Hazara refugees which is interconnected with the history of political violence, conflicts that has lead to their marginalization. The first wave of Hazara …

The Uncertain Future of Female Hazara Refugees, But A Leap of Faith Read More »

Graduation is a momentous accomplishment. However, for many graduates, this achievement is overshadowed by the stark reality of discrimination and rejection, not because of their qualifications, but because of their identity.  For Afghan refugees, the journey to higher education in Balochistan is an uphill battle that requires resilience, determination, and a lot of hard work. …

Afghan Refugee Students’ Battle with Mental Health in Balochistan – Post-Education Struggles Read More »