PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak has termed the registration of Afghan refugees inevitable for larger interest of the region.
He said that the real problem is not refugees, but ‘unregistered foreigners’. He also said that serious steps are needed to be taken for their prevention. He expressed these views while talking to the Afghan Ambassador designate to Pakistan Dr Omar Zakhelwal here in Chief Minister’s Secretariat on Thursday.
KPK Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan, Secretary Home, Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani, Peshawar Commissioner and other concerned authorities were also present on the occasion. During the meeting they discussed overall situation in the region, repatriation of Afghan refugees and other issues of mutual interest.
On this occasion, the Afghan ambassador appreciated the co-operation of provincial government and particularly of KPK Police in the resolution of the problems of Afghan refugees. He said that he himself wanted repatriation of refugees to Afghanistan, but due to unpleasant security situation they returned. He assured prevention to such kind of situation in future.
CM Khattak said that considering the gravity of the situation, facing the challenges is the responsibility of both the governments. While highlighting the prevailing law and order situation, threats and security requirements, IG Nasir further said that no discriminatory treatment is accorded to refugees in connection with identification in the checking process, adding that any Pakistani lacking National Identity Card also has to face legal proceedings.
The Afghan ambassador assured all kinds of cooperation and measures for restoration of peace in the region, improvement in communication between both parties and mitigation of difficulties.
