‘Repatriation linked with peace’

Mian Iftikhar says peace in Pakistan is linked with peace in Afghanistan.

PESHAWAR: Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information and Culture Mian Iftikhar Hussain Shah said on Thursday that complete repatriation of Afghan refugees would not be possible until total peace was restored in Afghanistan.

Addressing a meeting arranged by the UNHCR on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, Mian Iftikhar said peace in Pakistan was linked with peace in Afghanistan. Provincial Ministers Arshad Abdullah and Sitara Ayaz, Country Head of UNHCR Mangaishia Kabidi, Joint Secretary SAFRON, Secretary Information, Secretary Home, Secretary FATA, police, Frontier Corps and officials of FIA were present on the occasion. Mian Iftikhar directed the officials to provide basic facilities to the refugees and simplify visa formalities for them.  For the past three decades, the minister said, “we are carrying the load of these refugees but unfortunately unconcerned people were enjoying their benefits.” Provincial Minister Arshad Abdullah in his address to the meeting said proper legislation was required for repatriated people and added that “we too have to accept them with open hearts”. Sitara Ayaz in her speech assured co-operation on behalf of the provincial government for arranging a dignified returned for the refugees and maintaining data regarding their stay here. Country Head of UNHCR Mangaishia Kabidi commended the government of Pakistan for providing shelter and basic facilities to the migrants for nearly thirty years.



Published in The Express Tribune, April 8^th, 2011.