ISLAMABAD: The Senate was informed Friday that the government in collaboration with Afghanistan and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is making efforts to speed up repatriation of Afghan refugees. Minister for States and Frontier Regions Abdul Qadir Baloch told the House during question hour that the repatriation of registered Afghan refugees is guided by the principle of voluntarism as embedded in the Tripartite signed between Governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR valid up to 31st December this year. He said as per Federal Cabinet decision, the Afghan Refugees having valid proof of Registration cards can stay in Pakistan till 31st December this year. However, in the 25th Tripartite Commission meeting, the Governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan along with UNHCR have reaffirmed their commitment for engagement and coordination for devising a joint comprehensive policy envisaging voluntary returns. The said policy will be finalized latest by August this year and will be submitted to the Federal Cabinet for approval. The Minister informed that the registration process of 1.5 unregistered Afghan Refugees will begin from 15th of July this year. He said a cell by Afghan government has opened in Islamabad for issuance of passports to them. He pointed out that incentives for repatriating Afghan refugees have been increased from 150 dollars to 200 dollars for each refugee. He said Afghan government will provide them basic facilities on their return and UNHCR will also give them financial assistance. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Pervaiz Rashid informed the House that PTV has established its boosters in districts Kohlu and Zhob whereas district Pishin is being covered by PTV booster located at Ghazaband. He said PTV Home transmission is being on-air in districts Pishin and Zhob while district Kohlu is being covered by PTV News transmission. The Minister said the government of Balochistan has proposed setting up PTV Boosters in districts Musakhel, Sherani and Harnai. He said due to security situation in above areas, survey has not been conducted. He said as soon as law and order situation becomes normal, PTV will carry out technical survey. The Minister said they want that PTV telecasts will reach throughout the country. To a question, Minister of State for Interior Muhammad Balighur Rehman told the House that passports are being issue timely and there is no backlog. He said for this purpose lamination papers are being procured in anticipation of the demand of passports. INP
