Early return of illrgal refugees ruled out

KABUL on Sunday ruled out the early return of refugees from neighbouring countries, including Iran.

Recent media reports said Iran could arrest and heavily fine illegal Afghans if they did not return to their homeland in a couple of weeks.

Addressing a news conference in Kabul, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said the neighbours were in talks on the issue.

Janan Musazai hoped an agreement would be reached soon on an extension in illegal Afghan citizens’ stay in Iran.

However, he said nothing about the fate of those Afghans who are living in the neighbouring country without legal residency documents.

“Afghans have been living over the past 30 years in Iran and Pakistan, where they are running businesses and their children are studying…they are unlikely to return home in a day or two, leaving behind their possessions and assets there,” he remarked.

Musazai explained under a UNHCR strategy, Afghans would come back from the two countries voluntarily in a gradual and dignified manner.

He spurned the impression that Tehran’s decision on expelling Afghan nationals was tied to plans for signing of a security pact between Kabul and Washington.

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