Afghan refugees: Nawaz urges realistic roadmap for repatriation

Envisions stable, cooperative relations with neighbours

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Thursday that building stable and cooperative relations with all the countries in the region, including Afghanistan, was part of his vision for a peaceful neighbourhood.

He said this to Afghan Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Syed Hussain Alemi Balkhi, who had called on him at the PM House.

PM Sharif said terrorism was a common enemy that required mutual efforts to defeat it. He said both the countries had paid a huge price because of terrorism, but Operation Zarb-e-Azb had broken the backbone of the terrorist network in Pakistan. “We are committed not to allow our territories to be used against each other.”



The premier said the two countries should closely engage with the UN Refugee Agency for devising a realistic roadmap for repatriation of the refugees.

He said Pakistan respected the principle of voluntary return and felt encouraged that the Afghan government was creating pull factors to incentivise the return of
the refugees.

The premier expressed confidence that Balkhi’s visit would help advance the realisation of comprehensive and enduring partnership between the two countries. He said he wished to visit Kabul to bolster bilateral ties.

Balkhi thanked the Pakistani government for expressing concern for the Afghans affected by the avalanches in the country and for sending two planeloads of relief goods.

Balkhi said the desire of the Afghan people was to focus on economic development and not to hear the sound of gunshots again.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2015.