Balkhi to help refugees exercise voting right

KABUL (Pajhwok): The minister-designate of refugees and repatriation on Sunday pledged to introduce reforms in the relevant law, create jobs and pave the way for their participation in parliamentary elections.

President Ghani has introduced 24 cabinet nominees and heads of two independent departments to the lower house for a vote of trust. They have almost completed outlining their programmes to lawmakers.

If granted a trust vote, Sayed Hussaini Alami Balkhi — explaining his future plans to the Wolesi Jirga — reiterated that addressing refugees’ problems should be among his top priorities.

He called refugees’ problem a national issue and vowed to help them return home in a respectable way. Serving Afghan refugees’ abroad, providing them with legal assistance and making the ministry more efficient are among his priorities.

He would also focus on improving ministry staff capacity, curbing corruption and implementing public awareness programmes. “I will strive to ensure the refugees vote in the elections and continue higher education in the country.”

Balkhi would also try to get $170 million from the international community to support refugees. He would travel to Pakistan soon to resolve the current problems being faced by the Afghans living there.

mds/rm/mud

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