ISLAMIC EMIRATES GOVERNMENT'S POLICY REGARDING AFGHAN REFUGEES IN IRAN AND PAKISTAN

Abstract

This study employs a qualitative research methodology grounded in extensive secondary data analysis to investigate the Taliban government’s foreign policy towards Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan. Drawing on a wide range of intellectual sources—including scholarly books, peer-reviewed journals, policy analyses, and official Taliban communications—the research explores the Taliban’s policy regarding refugee in Iran and Pakistan. Primary data consists of speeches, press releases, and official statements from Taliban leaders and ministries, providing direct insight into the government’s policy priorities and rhetoric regarding Afghan migrants and bilateral cooperation with neighboring states. Complementing these are reports from international organizations and humanitarian groups, allowing for triangulation and a critical assessment of policy implementation versus official discourse. Thematic content analysis serves as the main analytical tool to uncover recurring narratives, priorities, and ideological framing in Taliban rhetoric, particularly their portrayal of refugees as subjects of humanitarian concern and instruments of diplomatic negotiation. The study focuses on the Taliban’s insistence on organized, dignified repatriation mechanisms and their calls for cooperation with Iran and Pakistan, while also highlighting the challenges posed by forced deportations and human rights concerns. Despite limitations such as restricted access to field data and potential bias in Taliban-issued materials, this research provides a nuanced, contextualized understanding of the Taliban’s refugee-related foreign policy, contributing to scholarship on regional migration politics and international norms in conflict-affected settings.