University of Peshawar and Islamabad based Crossroads Advisory has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on…..
A detailed meeting between Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (CAR-KP), Mr. Shakeel Muhammad Khan Safi…
The inaugural ceremony of the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO), was held at Department of Political Science…
On December 5, 2024, the Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar hosted the Advisory…
Prof. Dr. Shahida Aman (Chairperson, Department of Political Science) formally welcomed all attendees, including Dr. Saba Gul Khattak,
The Mera Ghar Trust has been providing for the needs of the locals while also housing Afghan migrant women since 2001. On November 29, 2024, the MHO research team headed by Dr. Shagufta Aman and accompanied by interns Ms. Imama and Mr. Ijaz of Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar visited Mera Ghar trust. The research team gathered information from Afghan women residing in the trust who described their migratory experience and the challenges that came with it. The team interviewed three Afghan females from different ethnic backgrounds (Pashtoon, Uzbek and Persian speaking) who narrated their migration stories, the challenges they faced and the support they got from Mera Ghar Trust. Ms. Saeeda Bano, who is in charge of the trust showed us around and also elucidated the efforts they are making for the female community.
Prof. Dr. Shahida Aman introduced the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO) and the Migration Research Cell which are based at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar. She emphasized the need for and importance of MHO as a deliberate platform for supporting marginalized voices and addressing humanitarian issues. Additionally, she highlighted the focus on practical policymaking and implementation.
Dr. Noreen Naseer discussed the structure of MHO and its umbrella organization, Crossroad Advisory Private Ltd. She noted that MHO is a novel initiative, the first of its kind in Pakistan, spearheaded by the Department of Political Science and the University of Peshawar. Dr. Naseer elaborated on various stakeholders of MHO, including the state, civil society, lawyers, journalists, and academicians. She also engaged in a deliberation on policy suggestions and questioned why there is no refugee’s policy.
Title: “The Continuum of Insecurity and Violence: Voices of Afghan Women in Pakistan”
Ms. Rukhshanda Naz congratulated the team for successfully launching the report within the given deadline. She commended the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, and the WRN for their continued work on issues related to women refugees.
Ms. Naz highlighted the wealth of research available on the WRN website and encouraged students to consider enrolling in the WRN’s course titled “Women, Peace, and Security,” emphasizing its value for those interested in gender, peace, and conflict studies.
Dr. Chelsea Soderholm, Senior Advisor at WRN, presented a detailed overview of the report. She outlined the key findings, methodologies used in the research, and the important recommendations for addressing the security and violence faced by Afghan women refugees in Pakistan.
The Advisory Core Committee Meeting of MHO was held online via Google Meet on January 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM. The session began with member introductions and a welcome address by Dr. Shahida Aman. Minutes from previous meetings in Peshawar and Islamabad were reviewed, followed by a presentation by Muhammad Faizan on forced detentions and deportations of Afghan refugees in Islamabad. Discussions focused on engaging key stakeholders such as UNHCR, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, parliamentary committees, political parties, and international actors to address the refugee crisis. Members proposed forming a dedicated committee for Afghan refugees, developing a legal framework, halting forced deportations, and exploring Pakistan’s non-signatory status to the Refugees Convention. Plans for an upcoming seminar were also discussed, with suggestions to involve NGOs, government representatives, and human rights advocates to advance refugee rights and policy interventions.
The hybrid seminar, “Forceful Repatriation of Afghan Refugees under the Second Phase of Deportation,” took place on January 15, 2025, at the University of Peshawar. Moderated by Dr. Ayub Jan, the discussion featured speakers highlighting the legal, social, and economic challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan, including issues of citizenship, forced deportations, and lack of a refugee policy. Presenters emphasized Pakistan’s non-signatory status to the Refugee Convention and stressed the need for a legal framework and humanitarian governance. Recommendations included engaging government, UNHCR, political entities, and international actors to address refugee rights, improve policy measures, and halt forced deportations. The seminar concluded with a commitment to ongoing dialogue, and a follow-up meeting was announced to track progress on proposed actions.
On 14th February 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO) held a hybrid seminar at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar. Chaired by Dr. Shahida Aman and Dr. Ayub Jan, the seminar featured insightful presentations on “Care, Solidarity and Intermediaries in Displacement Affected Communities in Pakistan”. The discussions covered displacement, the cultural institution of malikship, and the anthropological significance of Gham Khadi among Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan. The seminar was attended by diverse and rich group of individuals hailing from different backgrounds in person as well as online. The seminar concluded with a robust Q&A session addressing key points such as issues faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan, lack of literature on the subject and the need to decolonize the concept of solidarity.
On 27th February 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO) hosted a hybrid seminar entitled “The Impacts of Funding Cuts on Organizations and Vulnerable Populations” at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar. Key speakers included Prof. Dorothea Hilhorst (ISS, Erasmus University), who highlighted the consequences of USAID funding cuts, particularly on global health and humanitarian efforts; Mr. Mohammad Abbas Khan (Commissioner, Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees), who emphasized Pakistan’s four-decade commitment to hosting Afghan refugees and the challenges posed by reduced international funding in protracted crises context; Mr. Sajid Imran (Director Rehabilitation, PDMA), discussed the impact of funding cuts on natural and man-made disaster response in KP especially in areas with militancy and geographically hazardous areas alongside the role of UN agencies; and Dr. Saba Gul Khattak (Director, Crossroads Advisory & former member, Planning Commission), who called for greater reliance on local philanthropy and global responsibility towards creating a fund for climate reparations, social protection and forced migration to bridge global and national funding gaps. During the question-answer session, critical questions were raised, including how certain SDG’s accommodating concerns related to refugees and displacement would be impacted by these funding cuts as the funds for the former are also given by donor agencies, whether UKAID would follow USAID’s pattern of funding cuts, the challenges of accessibility to refugee camps, and the protracted nature of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Speakers noted a global trend of donor countries redirecting aid toward defense, leaving humanitarian programs underfunded, and stressed the need for innovative and sustainable solutions to address these pressing challenges. The seminar was attended by people from various sectors including humanitarian activists, academicians, students, government officials, and journalists. The seminar concluded with a call for collective action to mitigate the impacts of funding cuts on organizations and vulnerable populations.
On 8 April 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO), Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar hosted a hybrid seminar with a guest speaker Dr. Clea Kahn, an expert in Humanitarian Law. The audience and participants of the seminar were academicians, human rights activists, and research scholars. Dr. Shahida Aman, Chairperson of the department, welcomed Dr. Kahn and participants.
Dr. Clea Kahn, an expert in humanitarian law, delivered a powerful presentation emphasizing the importance of legal frameworks in humanitarian contexts. Drawing on her experience with the UN, NGOs, and the ICRC, she highlighted laws safeguarding civilians, and regulating interventions. Dr. Kahn discussed international laws and conventions including Refugee Law and UNCLOS, and stressed upon integrating protection measures into all humanitarian activities. She advocated for collaboration among stakeholders to ensure protection of non-combatants and de-escalation of crises amicably.
After her lecture, the forum was opened for discussion and questions. Dr. Noreen Naseer ended the session with a note of thanks.
On 24 April 2025, The Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO), Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar hosted a hybrid seminar on “Understanding the Dilemma of Kurram”. Prof Dr. Ayub Jan formally commenced and welcomed the speakers and participants. The speakers included Dr. Noreen Naseer, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, and Abdul Rahman from Islamia College representing Kurram’s youth. Dr. Noreen provided a comprehensive analysis of Kurram’s situation, tracing the roots of current sectarian tensions to geopolitical events in 1979. She highlighted unresolved land disputes in Kurram. She emphasized on the plight of women and children bearing the disproportionate impact of the conflict, facing displacement, interrupted education, and increased vulnerability to trafficking.
Abdul Rahman offered a youth perspective on FATA’S merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He stressed that promised governance reforms and development initiatives remain largely unrealized. Rahman specifically criticized the failure to effectively implement land dispute resolution mechanisms despite existing land records.
The seminar concluded with a strong consensus on the need for immediate action. Participants called for urgent measures to address land disputes, enhance governance capacity, and implement targeted development programs to break Kurram’s cycle of instability that has persisted for seven decades.
On June 30, 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO) at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, hosted an online seminar on “Addressing the Global Closing Space for Refugees,” featuring insights from leading experts. Advocate Moniza Kakar, a Karachi based lawyer, exposed the absence of refugee laws in Pakistan, urging legal reforms to protect refugees and their dignity. She further argued that though Pakistan has not signed any refugee convention, it is a signatory to the UN Convention against torture, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Dr. Tilmann J. Röder (a peacebuilding expert from Germany) revealed systemic failures in Germany’s Afghan resettlement program, where only 3,000 of 36,000 targeted refugees were admitted. Dr. Amena Mohsin (professor at the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh) outlined the Rohingya crisis, stressing the need for international support. Mr. Hari Sharma (former principal secretary to the then PM Nepal, GP Koirala) warned of rising xenophobia in South Asia, advocating for traditional hospitality models; and Prof. Dr. Paula Banerjee (former VC of Sanskrit University, Kolkata India) challenged Eurocentric policies, calling for regional, justice-based solutions. The event, attended by academics, activists, and researchers from various parts of the region, highlighted the urgent need for global cooperation to protect the rights of refugees. Dr. Saba Gul concluded the seminar after a stimulating Q&A session.
On July 30, 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO) at the Department of Political Science, University of Peshawar, held an online seminar titled “Changing Global Responses to Refugees: Perspectives from the US, Europe, and South/West Asia”, bringing together leading global voices on refugee rights. Prof. Niloufar Pourzand (University of York & Toronto) condemned the mass deportations of Afghan refugees by Pakistan and Iran, warning of growing statelessness and gendered vulnerabilities. Nicole Widdersheim (Human Rights Watch, Washington) detailed U.S. policy changes, including the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans, deportations to third countries, and violations of international law such as the Convention Against Torture. Prof. Montserrat Feixas Vihe (former UNHCR Representative for Central Europe) highlighted Europe’s increasing xenophobia and the conflation of migrants, refugees, and security threats. She also stressed that while macro-level changes are difficult, micro-level efforts—through civil society, human rights defenders, and targeted recommendations—remain critical to counter shrinking humanitarian spaces. Prof. Amena Mohsin (University of Dhaka) emphasized the need to reclaim empathy, dignity, and our shared humanity, reminding participants that refugees are not just numbers, but people with rights and histories. She argued that there is no monolithic Global South or Global North; both are heterogeneous and that refugee-hosting countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh are also victims, not perpetrators. The panel called for renewed global legal protections and a commitment to dignity and humanity. Dr. Noreen Naseer concluded the session following an engaging Q&A moderated by Dr. Saba Gul Khattak.
On August 28, 2025, the Maraka Humanitarian Observatory (MHO), in collaboration with the Department of Political Science at the University of Peshawar, hosted a virtual seminar titled “Protecting the Vulnerable: Floods & Displacement Response in KP.” Dr. Saba Gul Khattak formally commenced and welcomed the speakers and participants. The session brought together leading voices in climate resilience, human rights, and humanitarian practice to address the growing crisis of climate-induced displacement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Speakers included Dr. Khalid Khan (civil servant and climate activist), Ms. Rubab Mehdi (ombudsman Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and Ms. Syeda Memoona Zeb (UN Women). They collectively highlighted gaps in the national policy guidelines for vulnerable groups in disasters, the gendered impact of climate-induced displacement, and the need for community-led recovery strategies. The seminar emphasized the urgency of coordinated institutional reform, inclusive humanitarian frameworks, and localized disaster preparedness.
Dr. Khalid Khan provided a historic overview of global population trends and climate change that underlie disasters. He stressed that Pakistan is among the most vulnerable countries because two of the eight largest global polluters are its immediate neighbors. The impacts of environmental degradation on fragile communities have become increasingly pronounced across Pakistan.
Barrister Rubab Mehdi spoke about the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued by her office for the protection of women during floods. She highlighted that during disasters, widows and women-headed households face acute challenges in accessing food and medicines, while incidents of abuse and trafficking tend to rise. To address these risks, she has recommended measures for special protections, including the provision of designated toilets for women as well as safe communal spaces where they can gather and support each other.
“Humanitarian response must be gender-sensitive. Women and children face layered vulnerabilities—legal, social, and economic—that are rarely addressed.” – Ms. Rubab Mehdi
Ms. Syeda Memoona Zeb discussed the NDMA policy that identifies the most vulnerable groups as women and girls, persons with disabilities, transgender persons, ethnic and religious minorities, migrants, internally displaced persons (IDPs), refugees, and rural/remote communities. She elaborated that NDMA’s comprehensive approach covers issues from policy implementation to accountability mechanisms for these vulnerable groups during and following disasters.
The event concluded with a call to action: Pakistan must prioritize vulnerable populations in its climate response and build resilient systems to protect those most at risk.
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