Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has said that Afghan refugees could enter Pakistan if civil war breaks out in the neighbouring country.
He said this during a meeting with European Union (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan AndroullaKaminara, who called on him here on Monday.
The meeting discussed bilateral relations, forced labour of children including trade, labor laws, political situation, Afghanistan security situation, and ongoing development projects in Sindh by the EU.
Nasir Shah said that in case of a civil war in Afghanistan, Sindh including Karachi would not be able to handle the influx of refugees.
“Karachi is already hosting millions of Afghan refugees and does not have the capacity to bear the burden of additional Afghan refugees,” he added.
The minister has asked the federal government to settle the Afghan refugees in special camps along the border with Afghanistan.
The border with Afghanistan should be sealed to stop the influx of Afghan refugees and camps should be established in Punjab, KP and the erstwhile FATA.
“Sindh especially Karachi is already facing population problems and cannot host more refugees as they also pose law and order threat.”
She was accompanied by First Political Officer of EU DilardeTeilane. During the meeting, bilateral relations, trade, child labor, labor laws, political situation and ongoing development projects in Sindh sponsored by the European Union were discussed.
Sindh Information Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said that European Union has always provided cooperation to Pakistan in various fields and added that Sindh government recognizes and appreciates the cooperation of the European Union.
He said that the Sindh government has taken all necessary steps in covid-19 emergency situation to protect it’s citizens and has set up vaccination centers in district headquarters besides in major cities. Sindh government trying to ensure that every single person is vaccinated in the province.
He said that Sindh government was facing shortage of covid- 19 vaccines adding that the Sindh government had allocated huge funds for the direct procurement of vaccine .
On the occasion, Ms Kaminara said that the European Union provides assistance to Pakistan in the development of various sectors. The European Union provides assistance, not loans, she added.
She further said that EU was extending cooperation in education particularly technical education and training, women empowerment, improving water supply besides strengthening trade relations between the EU countries and Pakistan.
She said that the volume of trade with Pakistan in European countries is 33%. In Covid-19 emergency situation, exports of Pakistani products to Europe increased.
MsKaminara was accompanied by First Political Officer of EU DilardeTeilane. Nasir Shah presented traditional gifts to the distinguished dignitaries.
