Pakistan urges world to support repatriation of Afghan refugees
Last updated on: 06 July,2020 11:14 pm
Pakistan urges world to support repatriation of Afghan refugees
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Pakistan has reiterated that the repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees should be part of the peace and reconciliation process and urged the international community to support time-bound and well-resourced program for the return of Afghan refugees to their homeland with dignity and honour.
Pakistan participated in a virtual conference on Afghanistan, titled “Strengthening Consensus for Peace”, hosted by the Government of Afghanistan, today. President Dr. Ashraf Ghani and Chairman High Peace Council for National Reconciliation Dr. Abdullah Abdullah participated in the conference. Representatives of a number of countries and international organisations also attended the conference.
According to the foreign office spokesperson Pakistan, in its statement, emphasized the importance of a peaceful and stable Afghanistan for the overall peace and stability in the region and beyond. It was stressed that the signing of the U.S.-Taliban Peace Agreement had created a historic opportunity that must be seized by the Afghan leadership to work together and achieve an inclusive and comprehensive political settlement.
According to the spokesperson, Pakistan also underlined its hope that the release of prisoners will be completed soon as per the Peace Agreement to pave the way for the earliest commencement of Intra-Afghan Negotiations.
Pakistan stressed that there was a need for the international community to focus on ensuring early start and successful completion of Intra-Afghan Negotiations and not let these be derailed by “spoilers” who did not wish to see return of peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region.
The steps taken by Pakistan to facilitate Afghanistan’s trade by opening border crossing terminals after implementing COVID-19 related protocols were highlighted.
Foreign office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that Pakistan, on its part, will continue to work with all sides, and regional and international partners, in helping Afghanistan achieve durable peace, stability and prosperity.