Afghan consul general hails quadrilateral process

Urges IGP to take action against police official harassing documented refugees

PESHAWAR: Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Dr Abdullah Waheed Poyan hailed the quadrilateral process to convince Taliban to join peace negotiation, saying it will help eliminate misperceptions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He was speaking at a press briefing at Consul General Office in the city on Tuesday.

According to Poyan, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani wants to strengthen relations with Pakistan and is willing to go the extra mile to bridge the trust deficit between both countries regarding terrorism-related issues.



“Militancy has affected both Pakistan and Afghanistan,” he said. “It cannot be eliminated from either country without coordination and support.”

Extension for refugees 

Speaking about the six-month extension of Proof of Registration cards for documented Afghan refugees, Poyan said discussions are under way with Pakistan to extend the validity of these cards till 2017. “I strongly urge IGP Nasir Durrani to take action against those police officials who are harassing registered Afghan refugees,” he said.

Poyan also said he was grateful to the government of Pakistan for providing shelter to a large number of refugees.

Teach for Afghanistan

“Pakistani universities have provided 3,000 scholarships to Afghan students,” he said. “Many Afghan students are getting an education at institutes in Pakistan. Similarly, Pakistani students are also studying at universities in Afghanistan and many teachers have also crossed the border to teach in Afghanistan.”

The consul general lauded the role of Pakistani teachers at universities in Afghanistan.

“We should encourage more educationists to visit Afghanistan,” he said. “We will support them at all costs.”

Poyan also urged traders and businessmen to visit Afghanistan and boost trade between both countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 11^th,  2016.