48 towns to be established for Afghan refugees: Anwari

BAMYAN CITY (PAN):  The Minister of Refugees and Repatriation on Wednesday announced the establishment of 48 towns for Afghan refugees returning home from neighbouring countries in the next three years.

During a joint visit to central Bamyan province with his Pakistani counterpart, Eng. Shaukatullah Khan, minister Jamaheer Anwarim said they visited the province to assess the situation of returnees in Bamyan.

“The ministry plans to establish 48 towns in 22 provinces of the country with the cooperation of the United Nations’ High Commissioner for Refugees in the next three years to provide shelters for those returning from Pakistan and Iran,” he added.

Meanwhile, Khan said they have provided education, healthcare and other facilities for more than 1.7 million legal Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

The country would continue its assistance for Afghan refugees and Afghan government in the future, he added.

Currently, there are nearly four million Afghan refugees in Pakistan and Iran.

Myn/vp