ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday said his announcement of awarding citizenship to Bengali and Afghan refugees is open for a parliamentary debate, ARY News reported.
During his speech in the National Assembly session, the PM maintained that no international law allows any country to forcibly repatriate refugees while children born in a particular country are naturally considered citizens of that country worldwide.
Bengali refugees, for instance, are here (in Pakistan) for more than 40 years and generations have spent their lives here without basic rights, when are we going to take a final decision regarding their future?,” asked the PM.
The premier maintained that during his visit to Karachi, he was told that these refugees, deprived of basic rights, are turning towards crime.
He implored the NA to think of refugees like fellow human beings not aliens.
As Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) leader Nafisa Shah objected upon his announcement, the PM clarified that no final decision has been taken in this regard and the decision is open for debate.
“I invite you to give suggestions on this matter and it is open for debate but my question remains: when, if not today?,” said the PM.
In his maiden visit to Karachi on Sunday, Prime Minister Imran Khan hand announced that Afghans and Bengalis living in the country for many decades would be issued National Identity Cards and passports, which would effectively make them formal citizens of Pakistan.
The announcement has since been criticised by opposition leaders across the country.
https://arynews.tv/en/citizenship-bengali-afghan-refugees-debate/amp/?__twitter_impression=true
Too much credit given to opposition it was internal party pressure that forced him to change it from a position to a suggestion
@PaklovesTurkiye @PakSword @BHarwana @saiyan0321
Being vocal on wrong moves is pre requisite of a functional democracy