KARACHI, July 23: The Pakistanis stranded in Bangladesh should be rehabilitated in Bangladesh if their repatriation to Pakistan is not possible.

This was suggested by the chief adviser of the Rehabilitation Movement for Stranded Pakistanis, Mushtaque Ahmed, will speaking at a news conference at the press club here on Wednesday. He further suggested that the funds collected by the Rabita Al-Alam Al-Islami for their repatriation could be utilized in the proposed alternative.

He indicated that about 238,000 Pakistani patriots who fought for the unity of Pakistan, had been made to stay in 66 make-shift camps in Bangladesh for the past 33 years, but their fate hangs in the balance.

They have been living there like refugees and without any basic facilities or rights, he added.

Mehfooz-un-Nabi of Tehreek Takmeel-i-Pakistan termed Mr Ahmed’s proposal ‘a practical approach’ to resolve the longstanding issue. He said that he had already approached the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to seek its help in this regard. — APP