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Chattha apprises UNHCR on recent developments in repatriation of Afghan
refugees
ISLAMABAD—Sajid Hussain Chattha, Secretary SAFRON who is leading
Pakistan delegation to the 56th session of the Executive Committee of
the UNHCR in Geneva on Saturday met Ms. Wendy Cahamberlain, the UN
Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees.
According to a message received here Saturday, Chattha apprised the
Deputy High Commissioner of the recent developments about repatriation
of Afghans from Pakistan and their re-integration in Afghanistan.
He emphasized importance of development of refugee impacted areas in
Pakistan and expressed the hope that donors conference, planned for 2006
would be successful towards this end.
He told the Deputy High Commissioner that the census conducted by
Government of Pakistan in collaboration with the UNHCR had created a
data base of Afghans living in Pakistan, which should be used
effectively for fulfilling protection and development needs of Afghan
refugees in Pakistan and planning their returns to Afghanistan.
He emphasized the importance of registration of all Afghan refugees in
Pakistan as the next step. He requested Deputy High Commissioner for
UNHCR’s continued cooperation in mobilizing donor assistance for the
registration exercise with an estimated cost of US $ 7 million. He also
drew the attention of the Deputy High Commissioner for International
assistance to fulfil middle and secondary level education requirements
of the Afghan refugees.
The Deputy High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s generosity in
hosting millions of Afghans for more than two decades. She praised
Government of Pakistan for managing smooth and gradual repatriation of
refugees to Afghanistan.
She assured UNHCR’s support for Pakistan’s efforts for registration and
development of refugee impacted areas. She said that UNHCR would
mobilize other partners to help accomplish these goals. She indicated
particular interest to the proposal of Secretary SAFRON for assistance
for fulfilling education needs of Afghan refugees’ children.—APP |
