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Published 07 Feb, 2017 02:02pm

Cabinet approves policy for repatriation of Afghan refugees

The cabinet on Tuesday approved a policy pertaining to the repatriation of Afghan refugees and barred entry into the country for those refugees who do not have valid visas.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a meeting of the cabinet during which the refugee repatriation and management policy was approved.

The policy calls for strict implementation of Pakistan's immigration laws along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and ensuring that those without visas are not allowed entry into the country.

The policy also permits an extension in the stay of registered refugees in the country till December 31, 2017.

"The interior ministry has been directed to expedite the process of registering refugees, which is already underway," Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Maryam Aurangzeb said during a media briefing after the cabinet meeting.

During the meeting it was also decided that 50 bunkers will be built along the Working Boundary to provide refuge to villagers living in the area during incidents of cross-border firing between India and Pakistan.

The meeting also agreed that the families of those killed in such incidents will be given Rs0.5 million as compensation. Families of those injured in fire exchanges will be given Rs0.15m in compensation.

The cabinet approved, in principle, negotiations of a draft agreement between Russia and Pakistan for the training of military personnel.

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