Pakistan has decided to introduce 'tougher policy' for Afghan refugees days before the June 30 deadline for repatriation of over three million refugees living here since the 1980s.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in consultation with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, will finalise terms of new policy next month a road map for the institutions concerned to send Afghan refugees back to their homeland at all cost.
"We've decided to review our national policy 2016-17 for Afghan refugees. New tougher policy is ahead with new border management laws," said Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (R) Abdul Qadir Baloch.
"On arrival of PM Nawaz Sharif to Pakistan, we will give finishing touch to this new policy, he revealed in an exclusive chat with The News and Geo News (ASKKS Programme). But we want to send them back with respect," he added.
In marathon meetings held at Ministry of Safron this month, all stakeholders agreed upon to review the existing policy amid prevailing situation approached after killing of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour and spiking tensions at Torkham checkpoint this month.
"Several issues, recent Torkham border dispute and Mullah Mansour's killing in particular, forced Pakistan to review its policy for Afghan refugees-that is why we are coming up with new plan," Lt.Gen. Qadir said.
Refugees are being managed under the Solution Strategy for Afghan Refugees (SSAR) and of Pakistan Afghan Refugees Policy 2013 in the country.,
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Government of Pakistan has proposed an extension in the stay of registered Afghan refugees until 31st December 2017 in its draft National Policy on Voluntary Repatriation and Management of Afghan Nationals beyond 2015. This extension has been made to ensure that Afghan refugees have continued legal protection, until the Cabinet makes a decision on the future management policy of Afghans," said a representative of UNHCR in Islamabad. Refugees are requested to remain patient until there is further instruction or policy decision by the Government," read official response of UNHCR sent to Geo News and The News.