Lars-Hjalmar Wide, Ambassador of Sweden in Pakistan has said that role of Pakistan for housing millions of refugees after the Afghan-Soviet War have been impressive. Swedish government, being the fifth donor of UNHCR fully supports repatriation of Afghan refugees living in parts of Pakistan to their homeland.
Talking to media persons during his visit to Quetta here at local hotel, he said that Pakistan and Sweden enjoy cordial relations. UNCHCR country representative Neil Wright, Commissioner Afghan refugees, Abdul Saboor Kakar and UNCHR Balochistan Head, Jose Bellaza were also present on the occasion.
Swedish Ambassador lauding the efforts of Pakistan government for entertaining and housing millions of Afghan refugees across the country said that number of refugees living in Pakistan are highest than any other country. He noted that suitable and conducive environment in Afghanistan would help convince the refugees here to voluntarily return back to their homeland.
The country representative of UNHCR Neil Wright while praising the generosity of Pakistan said: "Pakistan is an amazing country who has been hospitalising the millions of Afghan refugees since decades". He said that UNHCR was striving hard to provide best facilities to the refugees living in parts of the country adding we have initiated various projects in health, education and other sectors to assist the government handling refugees issues.
To a question, he noted that it was the policy of Pakistan for Afghans to live independently across the country and government has not forced them to remain confined in camps. Supporting the point of view of Swedish Ambassador, he dispelled the impression that the refugees were responsible for increasing trend of crimes in any society.
He said that there are over three million refugees in Pakistan, adding all-out efforts were being put on place to persuade them return to their homeland as soon as possible. Expressing his concern over the deteriorating law and order, insecurity and less job opportunities in Afghanistan he said that refugees rather opt to live in Pakistan than returning to Afghanistan.