PESHAWAR, April 7: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has urged the donors to provide basic facilities of international standard to Afghan refugees so that they do not become a burden on local economy.

The participants of the roundtable called for implementation of a strategy, which was approved by the federal cabinet for management and repatriation of registered and unregistered Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan.

“Peace in Pakistan is linked with peace in Afghanistan. We have been carrying extra burden of these refugees since three decades but unfortunately irrelevant people are enjoying the benefits which is matter of great concern and must be discouraged,” the minister said.

He added if help was directly provided to the refugees-affected areas, especially Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, their problems wouldn't pile up.

Provincial ministers Arshad Abdullah and Sitara Ayaz, UNHCR Country Head Mangaishia Kabidi, Safron joint secretary, Information secretary, Home secretary, Fata secretary and high-ranking officials of police, Frontier Corps and FIA were also present on the occasion.

Mr Hussain said that people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, especially of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, shared common culture and traditions, which necessitated easy excess to them in both the countries.

The federal cabinet had approved a 10-point strategy in March last for repatriation of over two million Afghan nationals, their reintegration in Afghanistan, security concerns of the host country and border management. According to officials the strategy should be implemented by the end of 2012.

The strategy offers to examine optional legal stay for the registered Afghans whilst simultaneously enhancing voluntary returns and dealing with undocumented migrants.

“If possible 'Red Pass' may be issued to Afghan refugees for maintaining record of their travel,” the minister said.

Addressing on the occasion, Mr Abdullah said that proper legislation was required for repatriated people. “We too have to accept them with open hearts,” he added.

The federal cabinet had decided that unregistered refugees would be considered as illegal immigrants and needed to be deported and dealt with under the law of the land. A separate dedicated force to trace the unregistered Afghans should be formed as local police had been stretched too much to accomplish the important task, it had said.

The deportation process, according to the strategy, should be simplified and UNHCR should be involved in assisting their return. The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) should launch a special drive to detect and cancel national identity cards and passports, fraudulently obtained by refugees. The Nadra was also asked to discourage the tendency of obtaining illegal NICs, passports and domicile certificates etc.

Ms Ayaz in her speech assured authorities concerned of every kind of cooperation on behalf of the provincial government in arranging a dignified return of Afghan refugees and maintaining data regarding their stay.

According to the strategy, the refugees, who have invested more than Rs5 million in productive business, should be allowed to continue their businesses and may be given work permits for a specific period of time.

The refugees, who have made unproductive investments, should be given reasonable time to dispose of their properties. They should be allowed stay visa for one year. The cabinet had also decided that if an Afghan or groups of Afghans wanted to bring investment to Pakistan of over Rs50 million, they might be encouraged to do so.

Single women, who have lost their bread-earners and have no one to support them, should be allowed to settle in Pakistan. The participants of the roundtable were informed that government had set up five provincial sub-committees with well-defined roles and responsibilities to implement the strategy.

Mr Kabidi told the roundtable meeting that UNHCR was devising a strategy for return of refugees and trying to find out a permanent solution to their problems. He lauded the government of Pakistan for providing shelter and basic facilities to Afghan Refugees for nearly 30 years. He said that UNHCR would soon start development work in the areas affected by the long stay of Afghan refugees. — Bureau/APP