Interview with Pakistan's Ambassador

As a former commissioner for refugees in Pakistan, Rustan Shah Mohmand, Pakistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan says his government's first priority is to help facilitate the safe return of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees to their homeland. In an interview with IRIN in the Afghan capital, Kabul, Mohmand said he hoped for improved relations, maintaining Pakistan had a vital role to play in the reconstruction of the battered country. QUESTION: What are you priorities at the moment? ANSWER: We have a long border with Afghanistan. We share a common history and the same faith which gives us a special relevance or importance. We helped this nation during the Soviet invasion and we have hosted a large number of refugees. Facilitating their return to their homeland is one of our priorities. After 23 years of conflict, destruction and suffering we believe it is time for Afghans to settle in their own country with honour and dignity and hope that peaceful conditions exist for them to return. We also would want to see the emergence of a peaceful Afghanistan so that people can start the rehabilitation process. This whole region needs stability so we have vital stakes and are also firmly committed to supporting the Bonn process, the United Nations and Karzai’s government. Q: How is Pakistan contributing to Afghanistan in terms of humanitarian aid? A: Pakistan has announced a US $100 million allocation for Afghanistan over the next three or four years. Out of this some US $10 million has been given to the Afghan government in cash to help them overcome their budgetary problems. We’ve also indicated that we are keen to help in construction projects. In terms of humanitarian food aid, we are going to give them 50,000 mt of wheat to help them overcome food shortages in the country. We have indicated a number of areas where we could possibly help, in the health, education and telecommunications sector. We are in constant contact with various ministries and should be able to undertake some of this work. Q: There has been a lot of criticism against the Pakistan government for its treatment of refugees in the country and those crossing. There have been many allegations of harassment, bribery and even physical violence in some cases. How are you going to ensure the safe return of Afghan refugees? A: We have taken note of these disturbing incidences. This is not a policy matter. The government of Pakistan would endeavor the return of the refugees is peaceful, with dignity and honour and are not unnecessarily bothered by the security forces at the border. We have to bare in mind that this is a huge operation and sometimes things do happen. But the government has informed personnel in the field that they should not bother returnees. We are working closely with the authorities here and at the border to ensure these things don’t happen. Q: Many Afghans need to be given a chance to return to Pakistan as they may be just returning to Afghanistan to assess the situation without taking their families or belongings with them. Are you facilitating their return? A: We recognize this and this is a humanitarian problem. If refugees are leaving due to security then they should not be stopped. That is the reason we would like to see increased economic activity and increased employment in Afghanistan. We need to see that the roads are safe; that there are schools, hospitals, jobs, agriculture, and clean drinking water. These are the pulling factors for refugees and without an infra structure or without the basic facilities, many refugees will remain in their host country. We have seen an increase in visa applications from the Afghans and issue some 200 visas to Afghans in Kabul every day free of charge. [Additionally] There are many Afghans who do not have passports so we issue them with a letter of authority facilitating their journey to Pakistan. There has been a definite increase in the number of Afghans applying for a visa. It has doubled. Q: With constant reports of possible elements of the Al Qaeda network trying to slip into Pakistan to escape the war on terrorism, what measures has Pakistan taken to secure the border? A: Pakistan has taken considerable measures. More than 70,000 Pakistani troops are guarding the border. This shows Pakistan’s commitment in tracking down terrorists and stopping their entry into Pakistan or apprehending them if they are caught. Q: Given Pakistan's earlier relationship with the Taliban [Pakistan was one of only three to officially recognise the hard line regime], are Pakistanis who want to be involved in the reconstruction of Afghanistan welcomed in this country? A: We have had problems in the past but now I think it’s recognized that if Afghanistan needs to be reconstructed, Pakistan has a vital role to play. We believe that those suspicions and doubts and antagonism would give way to feelings and sentiments of brotherhood and friendship. We are working towards this objective and have had some success in this. Inshallah (God willing) we should be able to further cement the brotherly relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan. I personally believe that skilled workers in Pakistan will have a vital role to play in the reconstruction efforts here. Q: Do you have any security concerns for Pakistanis in Afghanistan? Have you received any threats? A: At times Pakistanis are apprehended. We have taken this up with the host government. After years of turmoil and a background of strained relations, these irritants are understandable. But we believe and hope, as relations’ progress and as Pakistani firms and investors come into the country, it will give way to an improved friendship and hospitality. Q: What responsibility do you take for the Pakistani prisoners in Afghanistan who were allegedly members of the Taliban? A: The government has told us on many occasions that the Pakistani prisoners would be released. More than 200 were set free a couple of months ago from Shiberghan prison in northern Afghanistan. But we believe there are about 1,400 in jails across the country. They are being visited by the ICRC [The International Comittee of the Red Cross], which is monitoring their conditions, but we don’t know much more about the conditions that they are in. Q: What sort of relations do you hope to have with Afghanistan in the future? A: We hope to maintain very friendly relations at all levels starting with the government, with the people and in the private sector. We also hope to reach the Central Asian countries via Afghanistan so that we can all benefit. We hope the iron gas pipeline will start further integrating the two nations. We both have a lot to offer each other and hope to reach the stage where there is a tremendous amount of economic activity. The future looks good for Afghanistan and us.