ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan on Wednesday urged United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to mobilize all the required resources for an early return of Afghan refugees.
The matter of return of Afghans came under discussion during a meeting held here between National Security Advisor (NSA) General (retd) Nasir Khan Janjua and UNHCR Filippo Grandi.
Welcoming Filipo Grandi to Pakistan, the NSA expressed his heartiest felicitations on his appointment as the High Commissioner for Refugees, a press release stated here.
During the discussion, the NSA reiterated Pakistan’s policy of early repatriation of all Afghan refugees from Pakistan.
He emphasized that after nearly four decades of shouldering huge burden of Afghan refugees on its soil, it was Pakistan’s expectation to see the Afghan refugees return to their homeland.
He urged UNHCR to mobilize political and financial support of the international community and not let Afghan refugee issue be neglected.
He also emphasized that the security dimension of continued presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan for nearly four decades and un-managed border had assumed serious proportion, particularly for operation against terrorists.
The NSA conveyed that Pakistan was taking appropriate measures for an effective border management to check the movement of terrorists.
In order to have a more fruitful cooperation, there was a need to avoid the blame game, he added.
It was noted that the pace of repatriation was extremely slow, and there was also a lack of attention and support by the international community.
The need for a time-bound repatriation and reintegration plan by the Afghan government was also discussed.
The UNCHR commended Pakistan’s historic contribution and hospitality in hosting the Afghan refugees for nearly four decades.
He evinced strong desire to work together to promote a solution to world’s largest protracted refugees situation.
