Steps being taken for safe repatriation of Afghan refugees: SAPM

PESHAWAR: Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Establishment Muhammad Shehzad Arbab has said steps are being taken for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees to their country.

Addressing a ceremony on Monday, Shehzad Arbab said that it is unfortunate to note that 85 percent of refugees worldwide are being looked after by developing countries including Pakistan and it’s about time that the developed world needs to come forth and play their role according to their international commitments and UN Conventions.

He said that since the year 2001, 9.6 million Afghan refugees have returned home and over three million refugees returned in the past few years.

Arbab further said that Pakistan wants to further strengthen its relations with Afghanistan, adding that “Government is trying to keep the Chaman border open round the clock to boost trade with Afghanistan”.

In addition to efforts, Pakistan made a plea to UNHCR to increase cash grants to enable Afghan refugees to return to their homeland, he said. He said that Afghan students are being facilitated for getting admissions in Pakistan’s educational institutions.

Shahzad Arbab said that trade facilitation and ease of doing business is a priority of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government.

He said that COVID-19 had damaged the interests of traders and businessmen especially in and around the Chaman area.  He said that the facilitation of exporters and importers will increase bilateral trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan.