Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, on Thursday requested the gradual repatriation of Afghan refugees, not only of Pakistan but of the rest of the world.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government “advised” the headlines of the Afghan Citizens Card (ACC), as well as all illegal foreigners, who leave the country before March 31 as part of its repatriation campaign. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the deadline is still in place.
The ACC is an identification document issued to national Afghan registered by NADRA. According to the International UN Migration Organization (IIM), the ACC grants temporary legal status to Afghans during their stay in Pakistan.
According to UN data, there are more than 800,000 ACC holders in Pakistan.
The minister was heading to an IFTAR meeting for Kabul headquarters on Wednesday, in which the Pakistani defendant of the Ubaidur Rehman Nizamani affairs was present. He said that in the last four decades, millions of Afghas have emigrated to different countries, including Pakistan and Iran.
“Our hope is that, like the hospitality shown so far, the appreciation shown to refugees in the future will continue to be the same, and their return will be gradual and peaceful,” he said.
“Refugees must be respected and their return must be gradual and worthy,” said Muttaqi. “We have no security problems throughout the country, but there are some problems that hinder the preparation for the arrival of refugees at the same time.
“This work is expected to be gradually implemented,” Muttaqi told diplomats.
He also sought assistance from international organizations with refugee arrivals and requested that countries be patients and guarantee the good treatment of refugees. “We hope everyone cooperates in this regard,” he added.
Muttaqi also mentioned the reopening of Torkham’s border crossing during his speech, insisting that problems between Pakistan and Afghanistan must be solved through dialogue.
“Torkham’s border crossing, which closed for three weeks, was reopened yesterday through conversations and understanding with the Pakistani side,” he said.
“Both countries should try to solve their problems through understanding and negotiations and avoid taking measures that harm common people and nations,” he added.
