Balkhi, Aziz discuss refugees’ repatriation

KABUL on Tuesday renewed its commitment to the principle of voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees and stressed the need for coordination on devising achievable targets.

The reiteration of the pledge came at a meeting between with the visiting Afghan minister of refugees and Sartaj Aziz, advisor to the prime minister on national security and foreign affairs.

In Islamabad, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Sayed Hussain Alami Balkhi held a detailed meeting with Aziz. Both sides stressed close coordination among Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR on the repatriation of refugees.

Balkhi is in Pakistan to attend the 25^th meeting of the tripartite commission on voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees. The two sides exchanged views on repatriation of refugees from Pakistan and their sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan.

According to a statement from the ministry, the advisor expressed satisfaction with the Afghan government’s efforts to develop a comprehensive plan for the return of refugees.

For his part, Balkhi expressed gratitude for the warm hospitality Pakistan had extended to the Afghan refugees over the past three decades.

He informed concrete measures were being taken to incentivise the return of refugees and ensure their reintegration in Afghanistan, including allocation of plots, creation of jobs and microfinance and tax-free schemes.

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