Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch on Friday demanded that the federal government not extend the stay of Afghan refugees staying in the province.
“I have written a letter to the federal government asking them not to extend the stay of Afghan refugees in the province,” said the chief minister.
Baloch was speaking to reporters following a session of the Balochistan Assembly. The chief minister added that Afghan refugees must be respectfully repatriated back to their home country.
It is pertinent to mention that the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees is underway with the help provided by United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
However, parliamentary leader of the Awami National Party (ANP), Zamarak Khan Achakzai said that government needs to evolve a better mechanism for the repatriation of Afghan refugees.
The provincial assembly on the occasion also adopted various resolutions and demanded of the federal government to ensure construction of roads to Muslim Bagh, Harnai and other parts of the province.
“The federal government must include construction of roads to far-flung areas using the federal public sector development program (PSDP),” said legislator Syed Liaquat Agha.
The assembly also asked the federal government to approach Iran for relaxation of rules for traders from Balochistan, in order to boost economic activities between the two neighboring countries.
Since 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of 3.8 million registered Afghans from Pakistan. UNHCR has again urged the international community to increase their engagement for voluntary repatriation under the UNHCR assisted voluntary repatriation programme.