Senate panel told: Efforts stepped up for return of Afghan refugees

ISLAMABAD: The Interior Ministry on Monday informed a Senate panel that central and provincial authorities have beefed up efforts to ensure smooth and dignified return of Afghan refugees.

The ministry said this at a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON).

The meeting reviewed key governance, humanitarian, environmental and security-related issues concerning Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan and the repatriation of Afghan refugees. It was chaired by Senator Asad Qasim and attended by Senator Nadeem Ahmed Bhutto, Senator Faisal Saleem Rehman, Senator Nasir Mehmood and Senator Atta-ul-Haq.

The committee was briefed by relevant authorities on the implementation status of recommendations made during its previous meeting held in Skardu on 21st and 22nd October 2025. It also carried out a detailed review of the post-flood situation in Gilgit-Baltistan. Members raised questions regarding the deteriorating condition of early warning systems in the region. It was apprised during the briefing that a Rs 336 million project proposed by the Directorate General of Meteorology had been sent to the Ministry of Climate Change, but no response had been received so far.

Additional Chief Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan Mushtaq Ahmed informed the Committee that screens and dashboards had been installed in Deputy Commissioner Offices and that real-time data was now being received. The Committee was further briefed that 115 early warning systems were currently operational across Gilgit-Baltistan.

The meeting was also informed about forest conservation initiatives in Gilgit-Baltistan, including the establishment of Forest Conservation Committees at the village level. Authorities stated that approximately 30 Forest Conservation Committees were active with the support of the Forest Department, while 54 committees were engaged in protecting more than 30,000 hectares of land in collaboration with the department.

Assisted Natural Regeneration Committees were functioning under Forest Department supervision, and guardians were being recruited on their recommendations, significantly strengthening forest protection efforts. These committees were reported to be actively involved in preventing illegal logging, managing pastures, monitoring forests and reporting violations. The Committee asked to share the policy on confiscated wood. Senator Nadeem Bhutto demanded the sharing of data on plantation.

During the meeting, the Committee discussed the prevailing situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including the recent unrest manifested through the demands of the Awami Action Committee, which members observed could pose challenges to national unity. However, the discussion on this critical issue could not proceed due to the continued non-participation of the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir, who failed to attend the meeting for the second consecutive time.

The Committee subsequently deferred this agenda with the direction that Chief Secretary would ensure his participation in the next meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026