KARACHI: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam on Sunday called upon the United Nations (UN) agencies to fulfill their commitment of repatriating Afghan refugees or shifting them to another country as well as resolving the issues of countries that hosted them for years and decades.

While addressing Afghan refugees’ during his visit to the Commissionerate Afghan Refugees in Sindh, the minister said that at the time of being provided shelter in Pakistan, it was promised that the refugees would be shifted to another country soon and the issues of the host countries would be resolved.

The federal minister also asked the Afghan government to realise the situation, where corpses were being sent to Pakistan, and urged the refugees to speak up against the use of Afghan land against Pakistan.

Pointing out that peace is in favour of both Pakistan and Afghanistan, Mr Muqam asked the Afghan refugees to keep a vigil on anti-Pakistan elements. “They were also your [Afghan refugees] enemies, who are only making things worse,” he remarked.

He warned those Afghans living illegally in the country that they would have to leave. He urged the UN agencies to fulfill their commitment so that they must be shifted on a war-footing basis. He said that the resources should be used in favour of both countries. Pakistan had hosted around three million Afghans for many years, but “it is a fact that you will have to go”, he said.

The federal minister said, “All [stakeholders] will have to play their role to send Afghan refugees back to their country, with respect and dignity. You [Afghan refugees] and we will also be happy if you go back to your home country.”

The acting commissioner for Afghan refugees in Sindh, Qaimuddin Ansari, and representative of Afghan refugees in Sindh, Abdullah Bukhair, also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 17th, 2025