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Return of Afghans to promote peace, Islamabad hopes

Return of Afghans to promote peace, Islamabad hopes

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15 Feb 2017 - 09:33
Return of Afghans to promote peace, Islamabad hopes
author avatar
15 Feb 2017 - 09:33

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan hopes the dignified return of Afghans to their homeland will go a long way in promoting durable peace and stability in their country and the region at large.

The Foreign Office (FO) refuted a recent Human Rights Watch (HRW) report on Afghan refugees, calling it as “misplaced and removed from facts and realities on the ground”.

In a report earlier in the week, HRW asked Pakistan to end police abuse, revert to its earlier policy of extending Proof of Registration cards by at least two years and avoid creating anxiety about the deportation of Afghans.

HRW claimed no new Afghan refugees had registered in Pakistan since 2007 despite lack of meaningful improvement in human rights conditions in Afghanistan.

In response, FO said: “Exaggerated contentions and baseless allegations of coercion are particularly disappointing and irresponsible, being counter-productive to the objective of harmony and goodwill between the refugees and the host communities.”

A statement from the ministry said the report lacked a larger perspective and the historical context in which Pakistan and its people had hosted millions of Afghan refugees in a generous and gracious manner.

Although international assistance and attention for the cause had dwindled over the years, Pakistan had shouldered the huge responsibility largely on its own, it added.

“Pakistan believes the return of Afghans to their homeland in dignity and honour will go a long way in promoting durable peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.”

pr/mud

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