ISLAMABAD – Pakistan and Afghanistan held second meeting of the RefugeeWorking Group under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace andStability in Islamabad on Wednesday.
The Afghan delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Afghan Ministryof Refugee Affairs, Dr. Alema. Mohammad Aslam, while secretary SAFRON ledthe Pakistan side in the meeting. The two sides discussed matters relatedto Afghan refugees and other Afghan nationals illegally residing inPakistan.
Both sides deliberated on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation for adignified, gradual, time bound and complete return of the Afghan nationalsto their country. It was also decided to observe the agreed timelines andprocedures for repatriation of various categories of these persons toAfghanistan.
During the meeting, the two sides signed a standard operating procedure(SOP) for streamlining the working of the group among the two concernedMinistries on a regular basis, in future.
APAPPS Working Groups work on the principle of direct, regular contactamong relevant Ministries in both countries, under the umbrella of thepolitico-diplomatic Working Group co-chaired by the two Ministries ofForeign Affairs.
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Highlighting the importance of the APAPPS for furthering bilateralrelations, the two sides agreed to optimally utilize the forum to deepenengagement, communication and understanding for early return andresettlement of Afghan refugees and to promote cooperation under variousWorking Groups of the framework.
Next meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees will be held in Kabulat a mutually convenient date.
