ISLAMABAD, May 9: United States Ambassador Wendy J. Chamberlin, along with a two-member delegation, called on Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas and State and Frontier Region Minister Abbas Sarfaraz Khan, here on Thursday, to discuss the issue of Afghan refugees and related problems.

The minister told the US delegation that the policy of the government regarding Pakistan-Afghanistan border had not changed, says a press release.

Sarfaraz said the borders were still closed and only those holding genuine travelling documents and visa were allowed to enter Pakistan.

The international community, he stressed, should be forthcoming on their pledges announced during the Tokyo conference as repatriation of refugees would largely depend on reconstruction and revival of economic activity in Afghanistan.

He informed the US ambassador that during last few months more than 450,000 Afghan refugees had gone back voluntarily.

Sarfaraz said Afghan refugees wanted to go back provided the Afghan government extended security and support to them.

The US ambassador recalled that the US was the single largest donor country which had been providing financial aid to the Afghan people and would continue its support.

She also discussed with the minister the issue of displaced Afghans located at Chaman (Balochistan) and matters related to them.

The repatriation process of Afghan refugees, security issues in Afghanistan, setting of internally displaced persons camps in Afghanistan by the UNHCR and the role of the latter in this respect also came under discussion.

Opinion

Editorial

Centre vs provinces
Updated 10 Jun, 2026

Centre vs provinces

The reason the centre finds itself in this position is rooted in its failure to expand the tax net and boost revenues.
Party in crisis
10 Jun, 2026

Party in crisis

THE young KP chief minister must be starting to realise just how thorny a seat he occupies. There has been a flurry...
Varsity woes
10 Jun, 2026

Varsity woes

FINANCIAL crises affecting public sector universities across Pakistan are now having an impact on academic...
Doctor attacked
09 Jun, 2026

Doctor attacked

AN act of reprehensible violence has shaken the medical community. On Saturday, an employee of the Provincial Civil...
AJK flare-up
Updated 09 Jun, 2026

AJK flare-up

The situation started deteriorating after a trader affiliated with the JAAC was reportedly shot in an altercation with law-enforcers.
Fault lines
09 Jun, 2026

Fault lines

THE April 8 ceasefire that halted hostilities between Israel and Iran has encountered its most serious test yet....