March 4, 2003	Tuesday	Zul Hijjah 30, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, March 3: State and Frontier Regions Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao told United Nations secretary general’s special envoy for Afghanistan, Lakhdar Brahimi, on Monday that Pakistan would appreciate UN help in the early release of all Pakistani prisoners held in Afghan jails.

Talking to Mr Brahimi, the minister said: “Our overriding concern regarding Afghanistan is the stability and prosperity of this country and return of refugees to their homes with honour and dignity.” Pakistan had pledged $100 million grant to support the reconstruction work, he said.

He reiterated the country’s desire for close relations with Afghanistan and support to the interim administration of President Hamid Karzai.

“We are committed to support the war on terrorism, have a strict vigilance along the border areas and recent arrests of Al Qaeda activists in Pakistan testify to our international commitments,” Mr Sherpao said.

He said only increased economic activity and improved security would motivate the Afghan refugees to return. Pakistan disbursed a grant of $20 million for the reconstruction process last year, he said.

Rebuilding of Torkham-Jalalabad road had been initiated as desired by the Kabul government, he said and added that an Afghan request for publishing five million textbooks for schoolchildren was being processed.

Mr Brahimi, who was leading a delegation, said repatriation of 1.5 million refugees from Pakistan in eight months was a remarkable achievement, much faster than anywhere in the world. He said the Afghan peace process enjoyed international support and the international community had resumed their full interest in the post 9/11 scenario.

Signing of an agreement this month for repatriation of refugees should reduce the burden on the country, said the envoy.

President Karzai’s visit in the near future would strengthen the reconstruction process and open more avenues for Pakistan, he said.

He appreciated the efforts of Pakistan for the reconstruction.

Mr Sherpao said the government had donated weapons and ammunition for Afghan law enforcement agencies and offered to train members of the police.

UNHCR: In a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Ruud Lubbers, Mr Sherpao said: “We would continue our unflinching support to the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

“We want peace on our western borders, which is in the interest of the entire region,” he said.

He expressed his appreciation for the UNHCR’s endeavour in maintaining the focus on Afghanistan when war clouds in the Middle East were thickening.

“An agreement between Pakistan, Afghanistan and the UNHCR is scheduled to be signed on March 18 in Geneva for annual voluntary repatriation of 600,000 refugees with major emphasis on camp populations,” said the UNHCR chief.

About 288,000 Afghan refugees arrived in Pakistan after Sept 11. With the repatriation of 1.5 million refugees last year, the country is left with 2.07 million.

Mr Sherpao thanked the international agencies for procurement of items from the country and said it had boosted the economy.