Governor’s view: ‘Afghan refugees helped economy’

QUETTA: Contrary to the opinions of military and federal leadership, Balochistan Governor Mehmood Khan Achakzai insisted on Thursday that the Afghan refugees have contributed to improve the economy of Balochistan and Peshawar. “The Afghan refugees had taken shelter under the United Nations’ law and should be repatriated by United Nations’ law,” the governor said, opposing the view that refugees are a security threat to the country. He was the chief guest at the convocation of Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences Uthal on Thursday. “It was because of Afghan refugees that Peshawar has become a commercial city,” he argued when a reporter asked whether he sees refugees as an economic burden.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2015.