Pakistan, Afghanistan To Work Together For Return Of Refugees

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 07th Oct, 2016 ) : Minister of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Lt General (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch in a meeting on Friday with Chief Executive Officer of Afghanistan Abdullah Abdullah discussed the return of Afghan refugees.

They agreed that both registered and unregistered refugees should return to Afghanistan with dignity and honour. They were in Geneva for quadripartite meeting on Afghan refugees, a press release said.

The Quadripartite Steering Committee on Afghan Refugees includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Abdullah Abdullah appreciated Pakistan's generous hosting of Afghan refugees for the past four decades.

He added that there was a clear decision by the government of Afghanistan, that the Afghan refugees should return to their country and all efforts were being made for their sustainable resettlement in Afghanistan.

He appreciated Pakistan's announcement of US $ 500 million for Afghanistan at the recently concluded Brussels conference. Abdul Qadir Baloch, while referring to the decisions taken by the last tripartite meeting on refugees held in Pakistan, pointed out that Pakistan was faithfully implementing these decisions.

"The Afghan refugees were our brothers and sisters and therefore we have a particular interest in their return to Afghanistan with dignity. We shall follow this principle in the return of Afghan refugees currently taking place." Both Abdullah Abdullah and Minister Abdul Qadir Baloch stressed the importance of close coordination between the two governments on the return of Afghan refugees.