ISLAMABAD: Speakers at a seminar highlighted the sufferings of Afghan refugees living in inhospitable conditions in the country for the last four months.

The seminar, organised by the World Peace Jirga Programme (WPJP) on Saturday, called upon the authorities to extend support to the refugees’ families who were facing serious difficulties in meeting the daily expenses.

The speakers expressed the hope that Pakistan would help Afghan refugees, especially those belonging to the Hazara community who were facing terror attacks almost daily in their native areas.

WPJP leader Rayatullah Khan said he and other Jirga members visited various border areas of the country with Afghanistan and Iran including Chaman, Torkham, Angoor Adda and Kharlachi.

“We strive to reconcile the existing schisms among regional countries to help people living in bordering areas,” he said, adding that trade was the best means for reconciliation among communities and societies.

Mr Khan said localised commerce activities provided employment opportunities to the deprived individuals.

“Improved trade activities will help improve the economy of Afghan refugees as well as the local communities in the bordering areas,” Mr Khan said, adding that it was also essential as Pakistan needed to develop healthy and friendly relations with Iran, Afghanistan, China as well as Russia.

He talked about China’s One-Belt-Road Initiative (BRI) which was focused on promoting trade and economic activities among the economies of the region.

“The Chinese government has recently approved a generous fund for infrastructure development under China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which is an extended part of BRI,” Mr Khan said, adding that, “therefore the benefit of CPEC has to be shared with the local communities as well as the Afghan refugees.”

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2022