Kabir asks Pakistan to release imprisoned Afghan refugees

KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy prime minister for political affairs Maulvi Abdul Kabair has asked Pakistan to release all Afghan refugees from the country’s jails forthwith.

Maulvi Abdul Kabir, who met Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special Representative for Afghanistan at the Sapidar Palace yesterday, assured that no one would be allowed to use Afghanistan’s soil against Pakistan and others.

He said Afghanistan wanted to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations with Pakistan and both countries could benefit more from bilateral trade.

He asked Pakistan to provide visas and other facilities to Afghan businessmen in order bilateral trade could grow.

Maulvi Kabir thanked Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees, but urged the neighboring country to treat them well and release Afghans currently being held in Pakistani jails as soon as possible.

The exact number of Afghan nationals languishing in Pakistani jails is not known, but the Afghan Embassy in Pakistan last month said about 4,000 Afghan refugees had returned to the country after being released from Pakistani jails.

However, the embassy did not say how many remain jailed.

Maulvi Kabir said Afghanistan did not interfere in internal affairs of others, including Pakistan, and would allow no one to use Afghanistan’s soil against anyone, including the neighboring countries.

He said a secure Pakistan was in the interest of Afghanistan, asking Islamabad to give peace priority.

“As a Muslim neighbor, we do not want war and insecurity in Pakistan and we do not allow anyone to use our land against Pakistan.”

Asif Durrani, Pakistan’s special representative for Afghanistan, asked the international community to endorse the achievements of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, especially in the areas of security and fighting narcotics.

He said Pakistan had good relations with Afghanistan and wanted to further strengthen these relations.

He promised to solve the problems of Afghan refugees in Pakistan and take urgent measures to release Afghan prisoners and provide visas and other facilities to Afghan businessmen.

He also said that Pakistan would start soon the unfinished works of the Torkham-Jalalabad highway.

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