DNA
ISLAMABAD: Participants of a roundtable discussion called for repatriation of illegal Afghan migrants in Pakistan back to their home country.
The discussion, organized by the Institute of Regional Studies (IRS) here on Thursday, included the Director General of the Pak-Afghan Youth Forum Mr Salman Javed, senior journalist Sumaira Khan, expert on international humanitarian and human rights law Ms Sibah Farooq, advocate Supreme Court Ms Asma Mushtaq, and President IRS Ambassador Nadeem Riyaz.
They were of the view that even though the current drive of repatriation of undocumented Afghans residing illegally in Pakistan also had to do with the dip in the diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries, Pakistan as a sovereign country had the right to regulate the presence of illegal aliens on its soil.
The participants urged the Government of Pakistan to take care of the humanitarian needs of the repatriating illegal migrants and provide them with all necessary support. They urged the concerned authorities to also protect the registered Afghan refugees and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders in Pakistan against harassment by law enforcement agencies.
The speakers expressed their concern and disappointment over the continued hostility in Afghanistan against Pakistan. They emphasized that Pakistan had hosted the Afghan refugees for a protracted duration and had provided them with all the possible facilities including access to shelter, healthcare, education, as well as earning respectable livelihoods.
The participants of the discussion also urged the international community to assist Pakistan in supporting the existing Afghan refugees on its soil and to expedite the resettlement applications of the potential aspirants. The participants also urged improvement in the legal framework governing refugees and aliens in the country to provide an improved system for administration of aliens and protection of refugees.
