ISLAMABAD, March 26: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday said Pakistan was in favour of gradual return of Afghan refugees as they could take part in reconstruction of their country.

He said that Pakistan wanted peace and prosperity in Afghanistan because a strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan was in the best interest of Pakistan and the region.The prime minister was talking to Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind who called on him here.

Mr Rind updated the prime minister about the arrangements facilitating Afghan refugees to return to their homeland.

He said that Safron was working in close coordination with UNHCR and was extending every possible help to refugees.

He said that the government was providing $100 per person so that the Afghan refugees could start life easily back home.

The prime minister said the government was making all-out efforts for socio-economic uplift of Balochistan as the province had been neglected in the past and the government was striving to bring it at par with the developed areas of the country.

He said that the inauguration of Gwadar deep-sea port would usher a new era of development and prosperity.

He said that the port would generate immense opportunities for the people of Balochistan as thousands of jobs and new businesses would be created in Gwadar.—APP