Intel community cooperation needed to support returnees: Muttaqi

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has held a meeting with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) General Director Amy Pope and stressed over the need for the international community’s support for Afghan returnees, an official said on Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi wrote on his Twitter handle that during the meeting the condition of Afghan refugees in different countries was discussed.

He added the forced deportation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, facilitating the legal migration and other related issues were discussed during the meeting.

“Although the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) utilize all available resources to facilitate returnees but looking at the large number of refugees returning to the country there was need for the international community’s help,” he added.

IMO General Director Amy Pope expressed concern over the politicizing the refugees issue and said: “IOM work to facilitate the return of migrants to their countries of origin as well as to facilitate legal migration.”

She said IOM mission was to ensure that migrants are treated in a human way because migration was not only the migrants need but it was the need of many countries in the world.

Separately, Amy Pope also met Khalilurahman Haqqani, acting minister for Refugees and Repatration, the ministry on its Twitter handle wrote.

During the meeting Haqqani said: “You should visit some of the front lines of the country to see the situation of the Afghan refugees with your own eyes, increase and speed up your aid to them with the arrival of winter, and also help them in building houses, education and Also help in the health sector.”

In reply Pope pledged to provide winter aid to Afghan returnees and arrange assistance in other areas as well.

It is pertinent to mention that Amy Pope on Tuesday visited Torkham crossing and witnessed the situation of Afghan returnees closely.

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