Pakistan is trying to use issue of refugees for various goals: Muttaqi

Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has said that Pakistan is trying to use humanitarian and refugees issues to achieve various goals, and in this regard, it does not even listen to its own people, politicians and experts.

In a meeting with the UN Secretary General’s special representative for Afghanistan, Muttaqi said that the government of Pakistan conducts raid on the homes of Afghan refugees, takes their cash by force and does not allow them to take with themselves their movable assets, vehicles and livestock.

He said that thousands of people have been forced to wait in cold weather day and night at crossing points for unjustified reasons.

Muttaqi pointed out that urgent and long-term assistance for the returnees is the top priority of the government, and in this regard, it does not spare any resources.

He asked international organizations to also fulfill their obligations in this regard.

Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, said that she is closely monitoring the situation, and relevant institutions are on the ground to provide assistance. She added that the United Nations will continue efforts to attract international assistance in this regard.