Provincial Information Adviser Barrister Dr. Saif on Thursday said that the process of repatriating Afghan refugees should be halted immediately on humanitarian and goodwill grounds.

In his statement, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government spokesperson said that Afghanistan is currently suffering from the devastation of a massive earthquake, and for a country already struggling with poverty, the burden of returning refugees is unbearable.

He added that many of those killed and injured in the recent earthquake were among the refugees being sent back. In such circumstances, Afghanistan needs support rather than being pushed into further difficulties.

Saif stressed that imposing the burden of refugee repatriation on a poverty-stricken country is morally unjust, and Afghanistan, devastated by the earthquake, is in no position to handle it.

He said Afghanistan urgently needs full cooperation and assistance, and as a neighboring and Muslim country, Pakistan has the greatest responsibility. The KP government, he noted, is helping Afghan earthquake victims beyond its available resources.

The Information Adviser further stated that Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, in a meeting with the Afghan ambassador, offered every possible support, including free healthcare facilities for the victims. On the CM’s instructions, 35 truckloads of relief goods have already been handed over to Afghan authorities.