Pakistan Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Let Gen (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Monday said Pakistan wants volunteer repatriation of Afghan refugees with respect and dignity.
Talking to a delegation of International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) London, the minister said Pakistan is bearing the burden of more than four million Afghan refugees that resulted drastic impact on its economy.
He said that after 2014 there would be a big challenge for return of refugees to Afghanistan due to uncertain environment. He added although the deadline for the return of refugees has passed on 31st December 2012 however Pakistan has extended its date till December 2015.
“If better economic opportunities are created in Afghanistan, the economic settlements of refugees will be feasible as the economic development in Afghanistan will create a pull factor to convince the refugees to return back.”
The Pakistani minister said that Pakistan wants development in Afghanistan for having more opportunities to the Afghan refugees when they return back, however no funding was materialized as committed by international donor agencies in this regard.
He informed the delegation about the developmental projects including Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA), a project jointly started by the Government of Pakistan.
(APP)
Talking to a delegation of International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) London, the minister said Pakistan is bearing the burden of more than four million Afghan refugees that resulted drastic impact on its economy.
He said that after 2014 there would be a big challenge for return of refugees to Afghanistan due to uncertain environment. He added although the deadline for the return of refugees has passed on 31st December 2012 however Pakistan has extended its date till December 2015.
“If better economic opportunities are created in Afghanistan, the economic settlements of refugees will be feasible as the economic development in Afghanistan will create a pull factor to convince the refugees to return back.”
The Pakistani minister said that Pakistan wants development in Afghanistan for having more opportunities to the Afghan refugees when they return back, however no funding was materialized as committed by international donor agencies in this regard.
He informed the delegation about the developmental projects including Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA), a project jointly started by the Government of Pakistan.
(APP)
Source : Afghan Voice Agency (AVA), International Service
