New guidelines for Afghan repatriation on the cards

Special wavier proposed for Afghan investors and those with Pakistani spouses

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (Safron) has finalised a set of proposals/guidelines for the repatriation of Afghan refugees that will soon be placed before the federal cabinet for approval.

Senior officials in the ministry told The Express Tribune on Sunday that the guidelines have been devised for the smooth and voluntary return of Afghan nationals after Safron Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch consulted the mainstream political parties in parliament on the issue.

Pakistan mulls suspending refugee repatriation

They include: issuing multiple entry/special visas to Afghan students, investors and those with Pakistani spouses, while the people coming for health reasons would be granted visa on arrival at Torkham.

Granting an indefinite visa or permanent residence — if not nationality — to all those born in Pakistan and advocated by several political parties, as well as civil society organisations, has also been under discussion, an official said.



Afghanistan’s envoy Dr Omar Zakhilwal also confirmed that Pakistan is in the process of announcing a package for the refugees.

“I am glad that the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees and the Ministry of Safron in consultation with us, have put together a package of proposals which will respond to the needs of these special categories once approved,” Zakhilwal, who is also President Ashraf Ghani’s special representative for Pakistan, told The Express Tribune on Sunday.

“We are optimistic this package will be discussed and approved by the government of Pakistan in the near future,” he said.

He said there are some categories of refugees that need special provisions -- including those who own properties and businesses worth billions of dollars, Afghans who have Pakistani spouses and students who are in the midst of their studies in Pakistani universities.

“While we are happy that 600,000 Afghan refugees have returned to their homeland (from Pakistan) since July, we encourage and welcome the return of thousands continuously on a daily basis,” he said.

Pakistan mulls suspending refugee repatriation

In Kabul, Afghan Minister of Refugees and Repatriations Sayed Hussain Alimi Balkhi has expressed the hope that the stay of registered Afghan refugees would be extended until December 2017 as per the “understanding” between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Balkhi told members of the Pak-Afghan track-II dialogue at his office that Pakistan has extended help to millions of refugees over the past 40 years and Afghans recognise this support.

“I am hopeful that the goodwill of 40 years would not be damaged,” the minister said in a reference to some incidents of alleged harassment of the refugees in Peshawar this year which forced hundreds of refugees to return back their home country.

“Returnees should have a positive approach towards Pakistan,” Balkhi said while lauding the Safron ministry for the initiative.

“The issue of refugees should not be politicised and should be treated on humanitarian grounds,” the Afghan minister insisted and called for a mechanism to document unregistered Afghans.

Balkhi lashed out at what he called some vested interests who are “spoiling relations” between the two neighbouring countries and said President Ashraf Ghani and his government wants friendly relations with Pakistan. He also criticised the role of the media for creating a rift between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency has welcomed the Pakistani plan to continue to extend support to the refugees.

“We look forward to a decision by the cabinet shortly and will study the policies agreed carefully at this time,” she told The Express Tribune.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 21^st, 2016.