Die afghanischen Flüchtlinge in Pakistan

Abstract With the Saur Revolution on 27th April, 1978 began the influx of Afghan refugees into Pakistan. The trek gained momentum after the Soviet invasion into Afghanistan at the end of 1979 and the beginning of 1980. Ever since, Pakistan has been the major country of asylum for the Afghans. Pakistan not only accommodates nearly three million Afghan refugees; it also serves as a camping ground and a rear base for the Afghan resistance fighters. Both aspects of the refugee problem - escaping into security and fighting for the freedom of the homeland - are political aspects and find representation within the resistance movements. The major groups are
- Hezbi Islami Afghanistan,
- Inqelab-e-Melli Islami,
- Nedjat-e-Melli,
- Jamiat Islami Afghanistan,
- Harakat-e Inqelab Islami,
- Hezbi Islami H.
While all of the groupings use similar military tactics, there is no common strategy. The prominent resistance leaders are not only different in personality and background, they also have different political ideas about Afghanistan's future. The presence of three million refugees in Pakistan not only poses an economic problem, it affects Pakistani politics too on the international as well as the national level. While Pakistan receives large amounts of foreign aid in order to be able to deal with the Afghan problem, it is nevertheless threatened by separatism and factionalism, both fostered by certain groups of refugees. More than likely the Afghan question will remain unsolved for quite some time. Neither the Geneva talks under UN-sponsorship nor the efforts of various Afghan leaders to reach a joint settlement are likely to mature in the near future. Meanwhile Afghanistan is progressively being integrated into the Soviet Empire leaving little room for Afghan autonomy.