The International Center for Refugee and Migration Studies (ICRMS), in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences (BUITEMS), organized its second policy dialogue of 2025 titled “The Role of Afghan Refugees in the Supply Chain in Pakistan: Repatriation and Way Forward” on 5th November 2025 at BUITEMS, Quetta.
The dialogue aimed to highlight the invaluable contributions of Afghan refugees to Pakistan’s economic and productive sectors particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while assessing the potential economic and social impacts of their repatriation. It also sought to propose sustainable, evidence-based policy options to ensure inclusivity, resilience, and continuity within Pakistan’s supply chain framework.
Opening Session
The event began with the registration and arrival of guests, followed by the recitation from the Holy Quran. Prof. Dr. Zahid Rauf, Director of ICRMS, delivered the opening remarks, welcoming participants and appreciating the collaboration between ICRMS, BUITEMS, and UNHCR. He emphasized the importance of recognizing the social and economic contributions of Afghan refugees particularly laborers and traders in sustaining Pakistan’s supply chains. He urged the need for inclusive and research-driven policies that acknowledge their role while addressing the challenges of repatriation.
The session was attended by distinguished representatives from public and private institutions, including Prof. Dr. Mirwais Kasi Pro Vice Chancellor, BUITEMS, Ahsan Achakzai Registrar, BUITEMS, Samiullah Khan Prevention Officer, FBR Customs, Dr. Saqib Zaib Additional Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, Shakoor Ahmed (Former Provincial Chief, SMEDA Balochistan, Ajmal Khan Achakzai Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and Arkeidy Lebovsky Senior Protection Officer UNHCR, among others.
Key Presentations and Discussions
Dr. Muhammad Junaid, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Management Studies, University of Peshawar, delivered an in-depth presentation titled “The Role of Afghan Refugees in the Supply Chain in Pakistan: The Case of the Gemstone Trade Market in Peshawar.”
He illustrated how Afghan refugees sustain the gemstone trade through kinship-based networks, trust-driven transactions, and informal apprenticeship systems. These networks facilitate trade, knowledge exchange, and pooled financial arrangements that underpin the resilience of Pakistan’s gemstone sector. However, Dr. Junaid also identified challenges such as export bans, postal losses, and payment restrictions.
He recommended policy measures that align with existing informal structures rather than replacing them, including:
- Community-based arbitration (jirgas and trade unions);
- Group-based microfinance models;
- Hybrid training programs combining traditional skills with modern digital tools;
- Secure export corridors and insured courier systems; and
- Safe digital payment channels for cross-border trade.
Thematic Sessions
The dialogue was structured around three thematic sessions, moderated by Prof. Dr. Syed Munawar Shah, Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, BUITEMS.
Theme 1: Contribution of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan’s Informal and Productive Sectors
Participants discussed refugees’ critical involvement in small trades, agriculture, horticulture, mining, construction, and the labor market. Afghan laborers have been integral to maintaining stability and productivity across sectors in Quetta, Pishin, and Killa Saifullah, providing affordable and skilled labor for decades.
Theme 2: Assessing Short- and Long-Term Impacts of Repatriation
Experts evaluated the economic and humanitarian implications of large-scale repatriation. They warned that the departure of Afghan workers could lead to labor shortages, higher production costs, declines in agricultural output, and inflationary pressures. Moreover, returning refugees might struggle to reintegrate into Afghanistan’s fragile economy, lacking stable livelihoods and social safety nets.
Theme 3: Policy Options and Future Pathways
Discussions centered on formulating balanced and forward-looking strategies. Key proposals included:
- Regularization of skilled Afghan workers through temporary work permits;
- Bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation;
- Capacity-building programs for both local and refugee labor; and
- Public–private partnerships to integrate refugee skills into Pakistan’s development agenda.
Policy Recommendations
The policy dialogue concluded with a comprehensive set of actionable recommendations:
- Legal and Institutional Reforms
Introduce temporary and renewable work permits for skilled Afghan refugees to fill labor gaps.
Recognize refugees’ socio-economic contributions in national labor and industrial policies.
- Skills Development and Certification
Establish joint training and certification programs for local and refugee workers, focusing on mining, construction, and agriculture.
Develop hybrid vocational curricula that blend traditional skills with modern technology and safety standards.
- Occupational Health and Safety
Enforce occupational safety standards within industrial and mining supply chains to protect both local and refugee workers.
- Economic Integration and Cooperation
Promote cross-border trade facilitation and safe export corridors
Strengthen bilateral mechanisms for economic cooperation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
- Research and Policy Collaboration
Encourage continuous research on the economic roles of refugees in Balochistan’s and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s local economies.
Foster partnerships between academia, industry, and humanitarian organizations for data-driven policy implementation.
In his concluding remarks, Mr. Arkeidy Lebovsky, Senior Protection Officer at UNHCR, commended ICRMS and BUITEMS for organizing an inclusive and timely dialogue. He highlighted the importance of recognizing the unseen contributions of Afghan refugees who often work under unsafe conditions and stressed the need for humane, inclusive, and forward-looking policy interventions.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Dr. Zahid Rauf, followed by a group photo session and networking lunch, fostering collaboration and further dialogue among government, academia, and humanitarian stakeholders on sustainable pathways for refugee inclusion and economic resilience.
Reported by Muhammad Asif
Reporting Associate
