ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Afghanistan on Wednesday held the second meeting of the Refugee Working Group (WG) under the Afghanistan-Pakistan Action Plan for Peace and Stability (APAPPS) at the Ministry of SAFRON in Islamabad (Pak-Afghan Working Group on Refugees).
The first meeting was held during visit of the Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua to Kabul on July 22, 2018 for the inaugural session of APAPPS.
The Afghan delegation was headed by the Deputy Minister for Afghan Ministry of Refugee Affairs Dr. Alema.
The Secretary SAFRON Mohammad Aslam led the Pakistan side in the meeting, which discussed matters related to Afghan refugees and other Afghan nationals illegally residing in Pakistan.
Second Meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees taking place in Ministry of Safron today pic.twitter.com/mGl21faOBZ
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) November 7, 2018
APAPPS has five WGs for regular interaction at the level of concerned Ministries on both side. Afghan delegation is visiting Pakistan to participate in this important APAPPS meeting. pic.twitter.com/tV738SL3qe
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) November 7, 2018
Both sides deliberated on the ways to enhance mutual cooperation for a dignified, gradual, time bound and complete return of the Afghan nationals to their Country.
It was also decided to observe the agreed timelines and procedures for repatriation of various categories of these persons to Afghanistan.
Third meeting of Pak-Afghan Working Group on Refugees will take place in Kabul
During the meeting, the two sides signed a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for streamlining the working of the group among the two concerned ministries on a regular basis in the future.
APAPPS WGs work on the principle of direct, regular contact among relevant ministries in both the Countries under the umbrella of the politico-diplomatic WG co-chaired by the two ministries of foreign affairs.
Highlighting the importance of the APAPPS for furthering bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to optimally utilize the forum to deepen engagement, communication and understanding for early return and resettlement of Afghan refugees and to promote cooperation under various Working Groups of the framework.
The next meeting of the APAPPS Working Group on Refugees will be held in Kabul at a mutually convenient date.
