The presence of this large refugee population has also caused demographic imbalance. The issue of ethnicity erupted in Balochistan, Pakistan's south western province in 1998 when the government conducted the census. Pro-Baluchi political parties boycotted the census, refusing to participate as long as the refugees remained. Though it's not the only reason, but presence of a large number of refugees have contributed to the crime rate,'' says Farooq Ahmed Jan Baber, senior police official of Peshawar. The Afghans, however, consider the NWFP, particularly Peshawar, their second home.
Refugees born here know no other country.
Going back to a homeland, where hopelessness, uncertainty and UN sanctions are in place, is a tough decision.