Wednesday March 11, 2015
Kabul (BNA) A bilateral meeting between Government of Afghanistan and Pakistan was held in the Ministry of SAFRON yesterday.
In his opening remark Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Quadir Baloch, Minister for SAFRON briefed about prevailing situation of Afghan Refugees in Pakistan and their status in light of Tripartite Agreement between Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHCR. He emphasized that since the deadline of December, 2015 is approaching fast, both the countries should immediately start working on an Action Plan ensuring voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees to their motherland. In response Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi, Minister of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan expressed similar views but, also emphasized that any repatriation plan should be based on ground realities especially in the aftermath of three decades of war in Afghanistan. He expressed the commitment of the National Unity Government of Afghanistan for repatriation and reintegration of Afghan nationals. However, he also highlighted the challenges and requirements which are to be faced in the process including extending the existing deadline of December 2015. He said that cooperation between both the countries is required to work out a Common Strategy under a realistic plan of action. After exchanges of views, both sides agreed to the following:
A) Both sides agreed for the documentation of un-registered Afghan nationals in Pakistan with the technical support from NADRA and verification by Afghan authorities.
B) A Committee comprising three members from Afghanistan and three from Pakistan was constituted which will work out the modalities for documentation of un-registered Afghans in Pakistan and subsequent issuance of necessary documents by Government of Afghanistan.
C) An Enhanced Voluntary Return and Reintegration Package (EVRRP) was endorsed by both governments will work jointly with traditional and new donors for generation of funds for EVRRP, which would help sustainable reintegration efforts.
D) It was also agreed that a Common Strategy and Plan of repatriation will be worked out between Afghanistan, Pakistan and UNHCR with clear timelines keeping in view the ground realities and absorption capacity inside Afghanistan.
