PESHAWAR: Qaumi Watan Party has welcomed the federal government’s decision to extend the stay of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and said that they should not be harassed as long as they live in the country.

QWP chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao said in a statement here on Thursday that the law enforcement agencies should respect the decision and the refugees should not be harassed or arrested.

He said that the refugees were staying in Pakistan under an international agreement and they should be given all facilities they were entitled to as per the agreement.

He also termed handing over of the refugees to another province a violation of Pakhtuns’ customs and traditions and said it would harm the historical relationship between the people and governments of both the countries.

Mr Sherpao said that peace in Pakistan was linked to peace in Afghanistan and vice versa, adding that lawlessness on one side would have negative impact on other side and thus both the states should realize the fact to step up efforts for restoration of durable peace in the region.

He urged the leadership of both the neighbouring countries to sit together and resolve all issues amicably because that was the only good option to curb militancy, develop bilateral trade and strengthen the economy.

The QWP chief said that the refugees should stay in Pakistan as long as complete peace was restored in Afghanistan. He said Afghanis being guests of Pakistanis should be respected and given the status they deserved till their stay in the country.

He said that all stakeholders should play their positive role to take Afghanistan out of the current mess.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2016