Afghan refugees skeptical over high-level repatriation talks

This makeshift settlement in Pakistan houses Afghan refugees, and lies a short drive from a five star hotel in Islamabad where international VIPs are discussing their future on Monday (February 17).

The United States has reached agreement with the Taliban to reduce violence for a week, which could lead to U.S. troops withdrawing from Afghanistan.

But the prospect of a peace deal -- perhaps by the end of the month -- is raising questions about the future of one of the biggest refugee populations in recent history, exiled by decades of war.

There are about three million refugees in Pakistan, many more in Iran. Many were born abroad, without knowing their homeland.

(SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) 32-YEAR-OLD AFGHAN REFUGEE, RUSTUM, SAYING:

"If we leave here, we have nowhere to go back to. I was born here about 32 years ago. If we go, where will we live? We have nowhere to go. Other brothers like us who have gone have nowhere to live. Even if peace returns, we still cannot go. Here at least we get a hut to live in; there, we wouldn't even get a hut."

Others say they fear being forced to go to the vast swathes of Afghanistan controlled by the Taliban, without guarantees of peace and respect for human rights and the rights of women.