Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan, 'safe havens' for terrorists: Sartaj Aziz

Aziz added the issue of Afghan refugees has become a security concern for Islamabad as well

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has said the Afghan refugee camps within Pakistan have turned into safe havens for terrorists after the country's armed forces destroyed the militants' infrastructure in tribal areas.

Aziz added the issue of Afghan refugees has become a security concern for Islamabad as these refugee camps have become "safe havens for terrorists" due to unregulated movement. He made the statement during an interview with Samaa TV, reports The Dawn newspaper.

The advisor further said, "We have re-established our writ over Federally Administered Tribal areas (FATA) but if Afghan border remains unregulated, our tribal areas can't stay safe."

Aziz also called for repatriation of Afghan refugees, stating that repatriation will be a gradual movement and Pakistan will need a plan of action for the process.

Speaking about the recent tensions with Afghanistan, Aziz said Islamabad is paying for the policies it adopted during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan adding due to the invasion five million refugees came to Pakistan, along with drugs and guns bringing instability to the country.