‘Pull factor’ can help reintegrate Afghans returning from Pakistan: Sartaj

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has asked the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) and the international community to assist the Afghan government in creating a “pull factor”, inside Afghanistan, which would lure the Afghan refugees back to their homeland.
There is fatigue in Pakistan and donors also appear reluctant to continue with dwindling aid as the government here takes cognisance of the world’s largest refugee population for more than three decades.
Issues related to Afghan refugees in Pakistan and their voluntary repatriation to their homeland were discussed when António Guterres, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, made his sixth visit to Pakistan, and met with Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs, at the Foreign Office.
“The adviser underscored the importance of creating pull factors inside Afghanistan and suggested that UNHCR, supported by the international community, should assist the current Afghan government in creating pull factors inside Afghanistan, which would be helpful in the reintegration of Afghans returning from Pakistan,” said the spokesman at the Foreign Office in a statement.
In the meeting, both sides highlighted the fact that there was a need for donors toimmediate, tangible and concrete support for reintegration activities inside Afghanistan.“It was also agreed that with the peaceful transition in Afghanistan and commitment shown by the current dispensation, time for successful repatriation and reintegration of Afghan refugees was more than ever,” said the statement.
Earlier this year, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani had, according to his office, drawn up a comprehensive plan for the repatriation of Afghan refugees and had told Islamabad that this was “high” on his agenda.
Kabul had also agreed to increase travel expenses of these refugees who would be camped at special centres.António Guterres is on a 3 day ‘Ramazan Solidarity’ visit to Pakistan from 22-24 June.