Pakistan favours dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees: PM

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NEW YORK, Sep 19 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan favors dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees and it is in the best interest of both Pakistan and Afghanistan

He was addressing the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants at the United Nations in New York on Monday.

Prime Minister expressed that Pakistan is the only country in the world which hosted Afghan refugees for longest period and despite decline in international funding we did not back out .

He said over two point five million Afghan refugees are presently residing in Pakistan and despite limited resources Pakistan opened the doors for our brothers.

Prime Minister said millions of people across the world have hope with this summit. He said summit is being held at the moment when influx of migrants and refugees is increasing and time has come so as international community to formulate a comprehensive strategy for refugees.

Prime Minister further added that arrival of refugees in Europe in large number has invited the attention of world towards problems of refugees.

Prime Minister said poverty, war and conflicts force the people to migrate and it is a big challenge to translate promises into reality.

He said dignity of mankind is common goal of whole world and to resolve crises we will have to resolve issues which cause conflicts.

Prime Minister said developing countries including Pakistan are bearing burden of refugees.

He said a justified strategy should be evolved to ameliorate the hate provoking emotions of the people.

Prime Minister said the New York Communiqué will be a significant step for the refugees.

APP/Zaheer/ VNS, Islamabad