National News

ISLAMABAD, (APP): Pakistan believes in mutual co-existence
and friendly relations with neighboring countries including Afghanistan
and resolve outstanding issues through dialogue, spokesman to the Prime
Minister Dr Musadik Malik said in a PTV program.
Dr Malik said Pakistan and Afghanistan have strategic and historic
relations and it is in their benefit to resolve the outstanding issues
including the matter of Afghan Refugees and border management through
dialogue.
“Strategic depth should not turn into strategic divorce. The matter
of return of Afghan refugees should be resolved in a friendly manner. We have
hosted them for decades and their repatriation should be dignified
and respectful,” he said in response to a question about repatriation of
refugees.
He said strategic depth does not mean solution of issues militarily
but it has other aspects as well and a better understanding on issues was
vital to resettle refugees and stop across the border activities of the
extremists.
“Once Pakistan and Afghanistan settle their issues, terrorism will
automatically die down and refugees will return to their homeland,” he added.
Answering a question, he said, during last one year around
1.4 million Afghan refugees have been registered under the National
Action Plan who were residing in Pakistan illegally. “Pakistan is
fulfilling its international obligation to host these refugees and we
shall have to sort out a mechanism for their return.”
In this regard he called upon international agencies to prepare a
roadmap for their return along with a package to facilitate them economically
and politically in their native country. “There should be a time bound and
economically viable mechanism based on economic
opportunities for a dignified repatriation of refugees.”
He said Pakistan’s foreign policy is based on having cordial
relations with neighbors and our neighbors should also follow the suit instead
of a policy of retaliation or tit for tat. It is our shared responsibility to
restore peace in the region for progress of the two
countries.
Dr Malik said Pakistan is bettering the border management system to stop
illegal movement of Afghan citizens into Pakistan and Afghanistan
has also endorsed our effort.
Answering another question regarding a statement by Imran Khan
about federal government’s seriousness on the refugees issue, the
Spokesman said, the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) leader often poise to
provocative statements on national issues. “The 18th amendment clearly states
that in issue of national importance provinces will also cooperate with the
federation. If his party has any reservation about refugees’
issue, they can take up it at the Council of Common Interests. Issuing
irresponsible statements on national issues and fuelling provincialism
will do no good to the country.”
He expressed hope that Pakistan’s policy of co-existence will bear fruit
and confusions between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be settled down.