UN urged to raise Afghan refugees issue in US, UK donors moot
Bureau Report

PESHAWAR—NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani requested UNHCR Saturday to include the rehabilitation of NWFP and Balochistan in the agenda of proposed international donor’s conference at New York and London that was taken up by the commissioner of international agency in a meeting with chief minister at the Frontier House in Peshawar.
The proposed conference will seek the international community’s financial help for the repatriation of Afghan refugees presently staying in the Frontier province. The meeting, besides UNHCR representatives, was attended by Federal Minister SAFRON Yar Muhammad Rind and other provincial government’s high ups.
Chief Minister appreciated role of UNHCR for providing help during and after the Afghan war, as well as relief goods to the affectees in the aftermaths of October 8 quake. He paid glowing tributes to UNHCR head for continued assistance and relief efforts for the quake affectees in future.
Durrain said international community had promised reconstruction schemes in NWFP and Balochistan for looking after the Afghan refugees during and after Afghan war in the past. “We hope the proposed Donors Conference in New York and London, aimed to pave the way for the safe return of the refugees to their country. The UNHCR will continue to supplement the reconstruction efforts in NWFP and Balochistan. The infrastructure and social services’ institutions had already sagged by the burden of refugees over the last three decades. He said the Afghan refugees affected all sectors such as agriculture, industries, education, healthcare etc and pollution reached at its peak. “The sectors of transport and commerce were kept open to Afghan refugees and that rendered our own people jobless. This sacrifice on the part of Pakistani government is acknowledged the world over,” he went on.
The chief minister added the Afghan refugees could only return to their country, if there exist a peaceful environment and improved agricultural, industrial sectors and other social services’ institutions. “Peace in Afghanistan would have a direct positive effect on the whole country, especially NWFP.”
The UN commissioner Antanio Guterres said the UNHCR provided relief goods to the quake affectees in Pakistan more than its mandate and considered the move as its moral and legal responsibility.
“We want return of Afghan refugees to their motherland and thank the people of NWFP for their hospitality towards Afghan refugees for the last so many years,” the UN official said.
He assured the proposed Donors Conference in New York and London would also accentuate the reconstruction efforts in NWFP and Balochistan owing to the presence of Afghan refugees in the areas in a large number. He said the international community would also be asked to fulfil their commitments. Federal Minister SAFRON also highlighted the role of NWFP, Balochistan and UNHCR for delivering services to Afghan refugees.