Islamabad; June 22, 2015 UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Antonio Gutterres called on Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif at the PM House here this afternoon.
Matters relating to Afghan refugees in Pakistan including their repatriation to their homeland came under discussion.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan took care of Afghan refugees as a sacred duty and their return with dignity is a priority for the government.
The Prime Minister said that Pakistan has paid a heavy price fighting terrorism and now there is a national consensus to eliminate this menace. He said operation Zarb-e-Azb has successfully destroyed terrorists' hideouts and networks. First batch of displaced persons has gone back to their homes. He said government has allocated $1 billion dollars for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected area.
Mr. Gutterres informed the Prime Minister that he is on his annual Ramazan solidarity visit and extended condolences on the loss of lives due to heat wave in Karachi.
Federal Minister for SAFRON, Lt. Gen (Retd.) Abdul Quadir Baloch; Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sartaj Aziz; Secretary to PM, Mr. Javed Aslam; Secretary SAFRON, Pir Bux Jamali and Commissioner Refugees, Mr. Imran Zeb Khan were present in the meeting.