Afghan repatriation will be completed by 2015, minister
Repatriation of Afghan refugees depends on the situation in Afghanistan, says Baloch.
Pakistan is providing all facilities to over 3,000,000 Afghan refugees living in Pakistan while on the other hand NGOs are not providing any relief to the refugees, says minister. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
QUETTA:
Federal Minister for Borders and Northern areas Lieutenant General (Rtd) Abdul Qadir Baloch said Afghan refugees would voluntarily return to their country by 2015.
Talking to media here on Monday Baloch said the repatriation of Afghan refugees depends on the situation in Afghanistan and that they would happily return to their country if the situation improves.
“We have discussed the issue with the Afghan authorities and a strategy has been formulated so that the Afghan refugees could go back to their country with dignity.”
Baloch added that Pakistan is providing all facilities to over 3,00,000 Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. He complained that NGOs are not providing any relief to the refugees.
Responding to a question about Afghan refugees purchasing property in Pakistan, he said a committee has been formed in this connection and he would lead it. “The committee will make recommendations and actions will be taken to curb such steps.”
Baloch informed that wherever camps of Afghan refugees were set up in the country over $500 million were being spent under RAHA programme.
After the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014, the law and order situation would deteriorate in Afghanistan that might scare refugees from going back to their homes, said minister.
48 illegal Afghan immigrants arrested
Balochistan Frontier Corps have arrested 48 illegal Afghan immigrants from a passenger bus in Hazarganji area on Monday.
A spokesperson for the paramilitary force said that the Afghans had been arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan without any legal documents. The bus driver has also been arrested.
The alleged illegal immigrants have been handed over to local FIA branch which will initiate legal proceedings against them under the Foreign Act.
Federal Minister for Borders and Northern areas Lieutenant General (Rtd) Abdul Qadir Baloch said Afghan refugees would voluntarily return to their country by 2015.
Talking to media here on Monday Baloch said the repatriation of Afghan refugees depends on the situation in Afghanistan and that they would happily return to their country if the situation improves.
“We have discussed the issue with the Afghan authorities and a strategy has been formulated so that the Afghan refugees could go back to their country with dignity.”
Baloch added that Pakistan is providing all facilities to over 3,00,000 Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. He complained that NGOs are not providing any relief to the refugees.
Responding to a question about Afghan refugees purchasing property in Pakistan, he said a committee has been formed in this connection and he would lead it. “The committee will make recommendations and actions will be taken to curb such steps.”
Baloch informed that wherever camps of Afghan refugees were set up in the country over $500 million were being spent under RAHA programme.
After the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014, the law and order situation would deteriorate in Afghanistan that might scare refugees from going back to their homes, said minister.
48 illegal Afghan immigrants arrested
Balochistan Frontier Corps have arrested 48 illegal Afghan immigrants from a passenger bus in Hazarganji area on Monday.
A spokesperson for the paramilitary force said that the Afghans had been arrested for allegedly entering Pakistan without any legal documents. The bus driver has also been arrested.
The alleged illegal immigrants have been handed over to local FIA branch which will initiate legal proceedings against them under the Foreign Act.