Repatriation of Afghan refugees imperative: Federal Minister

Minister emphasised effective utilisation of population profiling, verification and response data for repatriation.

LAHORE: Federal Minister for State and Frontier Regions Shaukatullah Khan has said that the repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees currently in Pakistan was imperative for reconstruction and development of Afghanistan.

Addressing the 22nd meeting of the tripartite commission on repatriation of Afghan refugees at a local hotel on Friday, Khan said collective wisdom was the need of the hour to approach the complex humanitarian crisis, even though the repatriation of refugees remained a very challenging task.

"We should realise that repatriation and sustainable reintegration of Afghan citizens is imperative for the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan and that is why Pakistan has been stressing on the honourable and dignified return of Afghan citizens to their homeland," he added.

The minister also emphasised effective utilisation of population profiling, verification and response data which could not only be helpful for repatriation but also for better management of Afghan citizens during their stay in Pakistan.

Education and livelihood skills training should be at the heart of any future strategic plan for Afghan refugees, Khan added. He said that effective coordination and information sharing among all stakeholders was also vital to enhance repatriation.

Minister for Refugees and Rehabilitation from Afghanistan Dr Jehangir Anwari and country representative to Afghan refugees from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) were also present on the occasion.