Impact of Afghan refugees on the infectious disease profile of Pakistan: beyond economy

Pakistan, in the last three decades, has provided shelter to millions of war-affected Afghan refugees, with the majority being clustered in the north of the country. In 1990, the official figure of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan was 3.27million.1 The impact of this colossal human movement on the economy of Pakistan and consequently the country's health system has been well elaborated. However, it is imperative to recognize that this massive movement of refugees across the Pakistani border has exerted detrimental effects on the health profile of the country by means of direct disease transfer as well.