Opposition to be consulted on policy for refugees: Mazari

Government has started the process of collecting refugee data, says minister

Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari on Tuesday said a policy regarding the future status of refugees and immigrants will be devised after consultation with opposition parties, Radio Pakistan reported.

Responding to a call to attention notice in the National Assembly, she said the matter involves multiple legal, political and humanitarian obligations which will be considered before taking a final decision on citizenship.



The minister added that the government has also started the process of data collection of refugees and immigrants.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Mohammad Khan said the task force headed by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor is working to remove bottlenecks and accelerate the process of FATA and K-P merger.

He added tribal agencies have been re-designated as districts and subdivisions of K-P.

Similarly, he said the posts of political agents and assistant political agents have also been re-designated as deputy commissioners and assistant commissioners.

Ali Muhammad Khan further said the federal government will provide the resources for the development of these tribal districts.

Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan said Pakistan “cannot continue to ignore the issue of non-citizens and needs a policy to grant citizenship rights to those who have been living here for decades, were born or married here.

“The issue of ignoring this vital segment of society is not doing the country any good,” the prime minister said while speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly.



“We were informed in a briefing at Karachi that most of those involved in street crimes belonged to this section of society. Since they were not granted citizenship they were not able to get admission in schools or get a job. What else would they do?”

“We are producing an underclass,” the prime minister warned and said, “A policy needs to be devised in this regard.”