Consensus needed on refugee citizenship issue: PM Imran

PM Imran says decisive action will be taken after developing consensus

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said a consensus would be reached on the issue of granting citizenship to Afghan and Bengali refugees before a final decision is taken by the government.

"Before taking a final decision on the matter, a consensus will be reached," said the prime minister while addressing the floor of the Lower House.

He added that the issue is one of human rights and it is imperative that decisive action is taken in this regard and refugee children in Pakistan deserve to be given Pakistani citizenship.

The premier also referred to law applicable throughout the world and reiterated that children born in this country deserve to be given the country's citizenship.

"We need to take decisive action over the fate of the Afghan and Bengali children born here [Pakistan]," said PM Imran.



"Refugees are also human beings at the end of the day and leaving them in limbo will have dire consequences on our society," he added and remarked that the opposition should also weigh in on te issue.

"Refugees in Karachi have been crying out for citizenship for several years but to no avail," he said.

He said that the PTI-led government would ensure that all members of society would be given their due rights.