KABUL (SW) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday urged Pakistan not to use Afghan refugees as tool for political pressure.
In a statement, the MFA reacted to Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi’s remarks about Afghan refugees and urged him not to use the issue of refugees as a tool to put pressure on Afghanistan.
- Taliban leaders visit Pakistan to consult on Istanbul meeting
- MFA rebukes Pakistan’s stance on ‘spoilers’ of peace
Shah Mahmood Qureshi said in a statement yesterday that Pakistan has hosted 3.5 million Afghan refugees in recent years and will not accept more. He went on to say that Pakistan should close its borders and defend its national interests. Shah Mahmood Qureshi has expressed concern that the escalation of violence in Afghanistan could lead to more migrants flocking to Pakistan.
Earlier, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan told the New York Times that if the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, Pakistan would close its borders. The Pakistani prime minister had also stressed that the Taliban’s attempt to seize control of Afghanistan through military means would lead to a civil war and an influx of refugees into Pakistan.
Reacting to this, the MFA has emphasized that Afghanistan has consistently called for the continued and dignified return of Afghan refugees to the country, and is working within the framework of existing bilateral cooperation structures, including the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan.
The ministry statement issued today said neighboring countries were not expected to use the issue of migrants as a tool to put pressure on Afghanistan.
The MFA emphasized that Pakistan’s sincere cooperation in ending the bloodshed and ensuring lasting and inclusive peace in Afghanistan is far more effective than the disturbing comments and predictions made by Pakistani government officials.
ENDS
