PESHAWAR: Afghan Consul General in Peshawar Hafiz Mohibullah Shakir has thanked Pakistan for its hospitality and hosting millions of Afghan refugees for decades and urged Afghan nationals in Pakistan to return home and help rebuild their country.
Addressing a press conference here in Peshawar on Wednesday, he said Afghanistan is now stable and ready to welcome its citizens back.
“Thank you, Pakistan! Now it’s time for Afghans to go back and rebuild Afghanistan,” he stated.
The Consul General acknowledged Pakistan’s decades-long support. He said Pakistan treated Afghan refugees with respect and made no distinction between them and local citizens.
“Afghans studied in the same schools as locals. They moved freely and lived without restrictions,” he said.
He confirmed that complete arrangements have been made at the Torkham border for the returning refugees. “Philanthropic Afghans are also prepared to assist their returning brothers and sisters,” he added.
A high-level commission has been formed to manage refugee resettlement. Returning Afghans will receive land in provinces like Kunar and Nangarhar.
“They will be given opportunities to start businesses or take up farming,” the Consul General said.
He stressed that the time has come for Afghan citizens to play their role in rebuilding their homeland.