Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has called a meeting of all mainstream political parties as well as chief ministers of all provinces on September 21 in connection with consultations on Afghan refugees. .

On the prime minister’s directions, State and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Minister Lt Gen (r) Abdul Qadir Baloch sent invitation letters to the head of political parties for holding broad-based consultations on the issue of further stay granted to Afghan refugees in Pakistan till March 2017, besides addressing concerns of Afghan refugees.

Ministry of SAFRON spokesman Dr Imran Zeb confirmed Daily Times that the government would initiate consultation process with political parties on September 21.

He said that invitation for participation in the consultation were sent to Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Fazlur Rehman, Jamat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq, Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai, Awami National Party President Asfand Yar Wali Khan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement head Dr Farooq Sattar, Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Pakistan Muslim League-Functional chief Pir Pagara Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi, Qaumi Watan Party President Aftab Khan Sherpao, Balochistan National Party President Akhtar Mengal, National Party President Hasil Bizenjo, Qaumi Awami Party President Ayaz Latif Palijo and chief ministers of all four provinces.

The spokesman said that the ministry would brief the participants of the meeting regarding the refugee situation in Pakistan besides getting their perspective/suggestions on the issue. He said that this was first time that all major political parties of the country would be consulted on the Afghan refugees issue, adding that the political parties were requested that if they cannot participate in the meeting, they should at least nominate a senior member for consultation.

He said recommendations of the consultative meeting would be sent the to federal cabinet on September 24 for approval, adding that in the federal cabinet meeting on Friday, the prime minister stressed recommendations to be submitted within 15 days.

Zeb said that elders and representatives of Afghan refuges would also be consulted later on regarding their concerns.