By Summan Ismail,
In Balochistan, Afghan refugees face substantial hurdles, particularly in education and skills development. Many children, especially girls, are kept out of school due to documentation issues. Gul Meena, a 17-year-old refugee from Quetta, exemplifies the struggle to access education. However, she recently benefited from a technical training program in Quetta, where she acquired stitching skills, received a stipend, and was given a tailoring machine. This is part of a broader effort that includes over 300 remedial learning camps across five districts in Balochistan, enrolling over 12,000 boys and girls from both refugee and host communities, with girls making up more than half.
The Pakistani government and NGOs have also focused on creating safe spaces for children, with more than 50 such areas established across four districts, supported by the Social Welfare Department and the local NGO DANESH. These efforts extend to sanitation improvements, with 200 refugee villages and host communities in six districts now declared open defecation-free, boasting culturally appropriate and secure latrines.
In a recent positive development, Pakistan has extended the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for approximately 1.5 million Afghan refugees until June 30, 2025. This extension came after a senior UN official’s intervention to halt deportation plans. Additionally, UNHCR Pakistan is aiding Afghan refugee students through 153 schools, 48 satellite classes, 55 home-based girls’ schools, and 13 early childhood education centers. Around 57,000 refugee children residing in 54 refugee villages across the country benefit from these educational programs.
Balochistan, home to a significant number of Afghan refugees, hosts approximately 850,000 refugees, with many living in challenging conditions. The ongoing support and improvements in education, safety, and sanitation are vital in addressing their needs and integrating them into the broader community.
