Federal Minister for States and frontier Regions Let. Gen (r)
Abdul Qadir Baloch, while delivering Pakistan's statement at the 68th Meeting
of the UNHCR Executive Committee today at Geneva Highlighted the issue of Five
million Rohingya refugees. The minister has said that it is a fact that 86% of
refugees are hosted in developing countries, including Pakistan. Emerging and
protracted forced displacements at such a large scale create political,
socio-economic, security and environmental challenges and difficulties for host
countries. The minister has presented the stance of Pakistan that root causes
of displacement need to be addressed on priority basis. While highlighting the
stance of Pakistan, the minister has said that there is a need for devising a
comprehensive burden sharing mechanism to address the issues of refugees all
over the world.
The minister also highlighted the efforts of Pakistan with unparalleled
generosity and hospitality in hosting Afghan refugees for over 38 years but
Pakistan have not received due recognition for this immense public good. The
Government of Pakistan is committed to voluntary repatriation of Afghan
refugees in safety and with dignity. Currently, the Government stakeholders are
effectively carrying out the implementation of the Afghan Management and
Repatriation Strategy, approved by the Government earlier this year. The
minister also appreciated the efforts of UNHCR in The enhancement of voluntary
repatriation grant from US $ 200 to 400 during 2016 helped returnees anchor in
Afghanistan. But, also cautioned against cut in any repatriation grant and also
made it cleared that local integration is NOT considered or supported by
Pakistan. Pakistan has always supported and shall continue to support all
efforts to ensure peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. A stable and prosperous
Afghanistan is in our own national interest.
