PM seeks funds to repatriate stranded Pakistanis Hasina says Bangladesh cannot

PM seeks funds to repatriate stranded Pakistanis Hasina says Bangladesh cannot

support them indefinitely; Nawaz says Biharis settled despite opposition

DHAKA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has proposed Pakistan and Bangladesh should make a joint appeal to other Muslim countries for funds to meet the cost of repatriation and settlement of stranded Pakistanis.
Nawaz held a brief meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina Wajed in Dhaka on Thursday and discussed the issue of stranded Pakistanis, officials said. The talks were held at the Zia international airport before Sharif left for home, they said.

The official BSS news agency said Sheikh Hasina urged Sharif to take back thousands of Urdu-speaking people on "humanitarian grounds," adding Bangladesh could not "go on supporting them for an indefinite period".

The stranded Pakistanis sided with the Pakistani troops in the 1971 war. Sharif proposed the two countries should launch a joint appeal to Muslim nations for funds to meet the cost of repatriation and settlement of stranded Pakistanis. Pakistan estimates some $400 million are needed. Since Bangladesh's emergence, the stranded Pakistanis, who refused to accept Bangladeshi citizenship, are pushing for their repatriation to Pakistan.

Since 1974 at least 100,000 stranded Pakistanis have been repatriated. Several thousands were given citizenship during Sharif's first tenure as premier in 1991-1992. Many of the remaining 250,000 stranded Pakistanis, who have not been recognised as refugees by the United Nations, live in makeshift camps across the country.

Police earlier arrested some 15 demonstrators this week during a protest in Dhaka to press for early repatriation. Some protesters threatened to set themselves on fire during Sharif's stay in Dhaka. In an interview with a Bangladeshi newspaper, 'Daily Star', Nawaz said: "Pakistan has never accepted them as Pakistanis. But on humanitarian grounds, we are taking them. In 1991 also when I was prime minister, I made efforts to take them though there has been resistance, particularly in Sindh."

"We had 1,000 homes constructed in Mianchannu in Punjab. Sixty-three families have been taken, 900 families could be accommodated there," he added. "Our efforts are now directed at raising funds," he said. There are still more than 250,000 stranded Pakistanis in 16 camps across the country.

accepted them as Pakistanis. But on humanitarian grounds, we are taking them. In 1991 also when I was prime minister, I made efforts to take them though there has been resistance, particularly in Sindh."