Analysts stress on Pakistan, Afghanistan to create conducive atmosphere for repatriation of refugees.
05 June, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Analyzing the complexities and challenges, the speakers urged upon the UN, international community, Afghan government and government of Pakistan to create more conducive environment for the sustainable repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland from Pakistan. Speaking at seminar on “Afghan Refugees: Challenges in Repatriation and Resettlement” organized by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Monday, Dr Imran Zeb Khan, Commissioner Afghan Refugees, Kilian Kleinshmidt, Assistant Representative UNHCR in Pakistan and Dr Saba Gul Khattak Executive Director of SDPI discussed different aspects and issues of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan. Dr Imran Zeb Khan reiterated the government's stance and made it clear that the refugees living in the camps or at scattered places would have to be repatriated to their homeland with dignity and honour within the stipulated time of December 2009. He said despite the fact Pakistan was not a signatory to any international convention on refugees but it hosted remarkable 4-5 waves of refugees coming to its territories during the last 27 years due to different reasons. He said nearly 4.9 million Afghans came to Pakistan over the years out of which 3 million have gone back but still 3 .4 million Afghans were living in Pakistan. He said due to changing international and regional environment, which also included donors fatigue, the government of Pakistan, government of Afghanistan and UNHCR have mutually decided to repatriate these refugees to their homeland adding that we have been considering the option of development through local integration (DLI) but it became impossible due to ground realities of the situation. He said that those 3 million, who were counted in the March 2005 census, have been registered and issued Proof of Registration Cards (POR) that were valid for three years and recognize them as Afghan citizens temporarily living in Pakistan. He said that the government of Pakistan was working on three-pronged strategy which included increased international support to ensure the sustainable repatriation process, increased support of international community for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan and also more focus on the development of refugees and host communities in Pakistan till the time of refugees presence in the country. He, while declaring it the most advanced registration process in the world under UNCHR, said the UNHCR was satisfied with the registration of Afghan refugees process, which would eventually lead to sustainable repatriation till Dec 2009. He also stressed the need for more policy debate over the issue of Afghan refugees in Pakistan as it was creating a negative environment between the two neighbors.
|
