Afghan FM advocates gradual repatriation of refugees worldwide

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has called for a gradual return of Afghan refugees from countries around the world, especially Pakistan. His statement comes as the Afghan government has advised holders of the Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) and other illegal foreigners to leave Pakistan by March 31. The Foreign Office confirmed that this deadline still stands. The ACC is a temporary identification document issued to Afghan nationals in Pakistan. According to the UN’s International Organisation for Migration, there are over 800,000 ACC holders in Pakistan. During an iftar gathering for diplomats in Kabul, Muttaqi highlighted the long history of Afghan migration over the past four decades. He expressed hope that the kindness shown to refugees would continue, allowing for a "gradual and peaceful" return. He emphasized that the repatriation should respect the dignity of the refugees and happen gradually, as there are issues in the country that make large-scale returns challenging. Muttaqi also appealed to international organizations for assistance with the refugee returns and encouraged countries to ensure the respectful treatment of refugees. He stressed the importance of cooperation in this matter. Additionally, the Foreign Minister mentioned the reopening of the Torkham border crossing, which had been closed for three weeks. He urged both Pakistan and Afghanistan to address their issues through dialogue rather than actions that could harm their people.