ISLAMABAD (SW): As persecution of Afghan refugees continues in Pakistan, a number of these refugees’ wives have called for the stay of their husbands.
Decades of war in Afghanistan made hundreds of thousands of families flee to Pakistan. These refugees lived in Pakistan for over three decades, which naturally led to many marriages between the Afghans and their hosts in Pakistan. As the extended deadline for the refugees to return to their homeland nears, the women married to Afghan men have urged their government to have some flexibility.
A number of such women told Salam Watandar that their husbands have been deported to Afghanistan. The women are concerned if their husbands are not allowed to return, their children will remain illiterate and their families will fall apart.
Tahira married an Afghan man 15 years ago and has 6 children from their marriage. She wants Pakistani government to arrange for her husband’s stay and children’s education in Pakistan. Rahida, another Pakistani citizen married to an Afghan said that she cannot live in Afghanistan, and wants Pakistani government to allow her husband to live with her.
Khairullah, an Afghan who has a Pakistan wife, also stressed that those who have Pakistani spouse should be given a permanent residence.
Mohsen Dawar, a Pakistani lawyer, said in this regard that based on the Pakistani laws, men who have foreign wives can have residence in Pakistan, but women who have non-Pakistani husbands cannot have permanent residence in Pakistan.
Doctor Abdullah Waheed Poyan, Afghan Counsel General in Peshawar said in this regard that they have raised the issue with Pakistani authorities. He expressed hope that the issue would be resolved.
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