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ISLAMABAD: Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party's (PkMAP) chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Thursday said his statement terming Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) a province 'belonging to the Afghans' had been taken out of context after a subsequent uproar on social media.
Achakzai had earlier stated in an interview with Afghanistan Times that "if Afghans are harassed in other parts of Pakistan, they should come here to KP, where no one can ask them for refugee cards, because it also belongs to them."
The Durand Line, a 1,400-mile-long porous border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, is not officially recognised by Afghan authorities as an international border.
On DawnNews' 'Zara Hut Ke' programme, journalist Zarrar Khuhro asked Achakzai: "It appears that you are saying that the Afghan government is entitled to KP. What did you really mean?"
Know more: KP belongs to Afghans, no one can force them out: Mahmood Achakzai
The PkMap chief clarified that if Punjab, Balochistan or Sindh were unwilling to accommodate Afghan refugees, they should come to KP.
Achakzai said that if Afghan refugees are living in Pakistan under agreement with the United Nations (UN), they should be provided an Afghan identity card.
He maintained, however, that he does not mean every Afghan national in the country should receive that card.
"The way Pakistani and Indian expats along with other foreign nationals are accommodated in Dubai where they run their own businesses, the same way Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan should be given identity cards because they are our guests."
"We will not let people create undue hurdles for Afghan refugees. There are large numbers of Afghan and Uzbeks in Quetta and Balochistan who are involved in development in the province and referring to them as terrorists would be unfair," he said.
Achakzai's statements come as the validity period of the ‘Proof of Registration’ cards allowing Afghan refugees to stay in Pakistan expired on June 30, 2016.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday granted an extension in the stay of registered Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan for a period of six months till December 31, 2016.
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (54) Closed
Jul 01, 2016 01:58pm
He don't want to lose his esteemed positions in the corridor of powers by what he stated yesterday which he denies today!!! Pathetic indeed.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:09pm
MNA sahib ,Please think before you speak. This statement was high treason.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:12pm
I m sorry but it doesn't! It belongs to the people of pakistan who have been taking care of afghans since the last 30 years!
They belong in Afghanistan and that's where they should return
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Jul 01, 2016 02:13pm
Mr Achakzai, sorry to point out that Afghan we no right in Pakistan Lands and jobs 2M jobs occupied by Afghan there no UN agreement on this, they must leave Pakistan keep Pak land clean these are terrorist and drug and arms sellers, PM Nawaz have no authority to extend 6 month period if he like than from Sindh, Baluchistan and KPK all Afghan should transferred to PUNJAB, not need in rest of Pakistan, you have taken oath in NA for Pakistan not Afghanistan, my request to general public is that file reference against Achakzai and de-seat him from NA.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:21pm
Please leave !
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Jul 01, 2016 02:22pm
I don't know whay peoples vote for this kind of people's
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Jul 01, 2016 02:23pm
Pakistan for Pakistanis !
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Jul 01, 2016 02:23pm
I wonder if Mr. Achakzai knows the sentiments of the people of KPon this issue. I am sure that majority of the KP people including myself want the afghans to leave. I dont think he has the right to say that at all and in any capacity. Its time KP is stopped being used as a dumping ground. Afghans must leave and build their own country and let us build ours .. . FYI.... I think Pakistan is hosting alot more than what the UNHCR has been stating.. an unchanges number for the 20 years
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Jul 01, 2016 02:34pm
He doesn't understand how much it has enraged/ angered the Pashtun people.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:36pm
Achakzai's party doesn't even have one seat in KPK so how can he speak on behalf of the province. And the Pakistani's going to Dubai contribute to that economy and go through documented legal means. Whereas, Afghans cam as refugees, have overstayed their visit and have become a burden on our economy and security.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:45pm
first of all, you have no right to talk about KP coz not being selected as a representative there.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:46pm
Mr. Achakzai, if it wasn't for Pakistan or Pakistani you'd have no identity.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:46pm
Mr achakzai instead of KP invite then to quetta,
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Jul 01, 2016 02:49pm
Eating words is no good after harm intended is caused.
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Jul 01, 2016 02:50pm
So this is not treason?
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Jul 01, 2016 03:05pm
But you will let afghans to create undue hurdle and huge burden for weak Pakistani economy and security situation. Don't go too far for the sake for few extra votes by afghanis using their fake Pakistanis ID cards.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:14pm
These politicians are the real enemies of Pakistan. Illiterate People.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:19pm
Who are achakzai and Nawaz Sharif who decide on kpk. Kpk is land of Pakistani pashtoon we will decide who will stay and we pashtoon already decided send afghani outside from kpk Pakistan
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Jul 01, 2016 03:24pm
Pakistan would be better off if Achakzai could move to Afghanistan for good.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:35pm
These are the same afghan brothers we used to defeat USSR army in afahanistan so we be safe in Pakistan. What a hypocrisy.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:35pm
An average world politician will think and plan a few days in advance before making a statement. A clever one will plan from weeks to months in advance. But a status quo Pakistani politician doesn't plan ahead, He will speak before thinking and a day later will attempt to clarify what he/she actually meant.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:40pm
It's a pitty that he and his family is enjoying all the perks and privilages and even then he dares to talk nonsense like that. Besides other reasons Mehmood Achakzai supports afghan refugees because they are his voters with their fake Pakistani ID cards.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:43pm
Politics on Poor Afghanis..
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Jul 01, 2016 03:50pm
Achakzai supports democracy and civilian rule. He has criticized undemocratic forces in destablizing the civilian rule in Pakistan. Those forces are trying their best to malign and discredit him. He and his family are good Pakistanis and their nationalism should not be challenged.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:56pm
Pakhtoons are the single largest group being against Afghan refugees. I have seen it again and again and again. Reson being: they have been at the receiving end of most terror attacks.
We have had many Afghan refugees in our city in Punjab and I have never ever in my life seen, heard or spoken about any acts against the well being of the refugees...who have outlived their stay a long long time ago.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:57pm
I think Pakistan need to devise a solution for this, Afghan living here for many years should be allowed to apply for Pakistan citizenship if they wish to. Many Afghans are born and bred in Pakistan, they have never been to Afghanistan, to me they should have right to become Pakistanis.
People who wish to go back and keep Afghan nationality that should be upto them. Afghans who take are ready to take oath to state of Pakistan and become its citizens, they should be given a chance. Pakistan can decide period of stay that qualify anyone for this.
This is the viable way to solve this issue, almost all Afghans have now integrated in Pakistan and have lives and have jobs and businesses here. Instead of giving them fake Pakistan ID cards through bribes, Pakistan need to devise a policy for it.
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Jul 01, 2016 03:59pm
This is sad to see how these seniors lack vision, loyalty and sincerity. I don't believe a single word you uttered. People like you want to keep Durand line issue alive just for the sake of your smuggling and drug business.
We have hosted Afghans up to their need. Afghan government is ruling in Afghanistan now. Go back to your home, and live a life which you deserve. We have limited resources, not enough even to feed our own masses. Then how can we accommodate you.
World is blaming us for terrorism, and we know well where all these terrorist sanctuaries are. Go back home now if you want peace. Otherwise our troubles will never end.
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Jul 01, 2016 04:10pm
dont listen to him , he has lost his credibility.. stop giving him importance!!
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Jul 01, 2016 04:09pm
@Shakil Ahmed No one should be rewarded for breaking the law and buying fake Pakisyani IDs. Afghanis as a group must be sent back as soon as possible and strict border security implemented. VISAs must be issued in our embassy in Kabul and Kabul alone. This should have been done a long long time ago which would also have curbed terrorism.
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Jul 01, 2016 04:19pm
A highly opportunist man always rolling towards the ruling party for personal benefits. His entire family is in big government position Yet he says that KP belongs to Afghanistan, a simple case of article 6 but Nawaz Sharif's PML will not mind this because achakzai supported him in assembly.
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Jul 01, 2016 04:25pm
Mr. this is not ur personal asset... it belongs to the pakhtuns of kp only
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Jul 01, 2016 04:33pm
He has changed completely from his original outburst.
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Jul 01, 2016 04:37pm
@Shakil Ahmed who knows how many afghans have been made pak national because of these crook, corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and other govt employees working in home ministry/NADRA and other related depts by accepting money in exchange.
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Jul 01, 2016 04:50pm
He can't speak for me or my province KP, he has no right to speak on behalf of Passions either.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:10pm
This gentleman has hurt the Pakistani nation by his statement I donot think KP people wants to become Afghani.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:15pm
Point to be noted ! Is NDS not involved doing negative activities inside Pakistan in co-operation with other agencies? If no then go ahead and allow the Afghan refugees to live as long as they can. BUT if yes! then one can assume that this decision will only favor NDS and related agencies who do not want to see peaceful and stable Pakistan.
On the other hand hospitality is good and Pashtuns are known for their hospitality, now another BUT here, "Since 3 decades refugees are living inside Pakistan, five fingers are not equal, same way we do not know who is good or who is bad, but we will have to decide for Pakistan and It will also help our own Institutions to utilize their energy on some other projects, rather then always searching for cross-border foot prints.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:20pm
Afghans are not our guest ...Mehman ek roz du roz na ta Navroz.... Mr Achakazai KPK is not Afghanistan. We have had enough of Afghan refugees which has put a burden on our exchequer.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:35pm
Since Afghan government and people have taken the offensive stance against Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistan has the right to deport afghans refugees, especially if someone involved in anti-state and criminal activities. However, residence on humanitarian ground and for the people who are the contributor to the economy should be considered.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:36pm
@Ali Mohammad Legari Yes, mr Legari he must leave NA seat. If we have this kind of people in Pakistan politics, how we can expect loyalty for Pakistan from them.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:47pm
We knew it was coming from him...He took the favour from Afghanistan and said what they wanted him to say,
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Jul 01, 2016 05:51pm
@Raja Khalid ...so now prove it.
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Jul 01, 2016 05:58pm
He should invite Afghan refugees to Balochistan/Achakzai Villa. What right he has to invite them to KPK? Enough hospitality done. Now Afghan refugees must go back, preferably voluntarily.
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Jul 01, 2016 06:07pm
Mr. Achakzai as a senior politician been highly respected by the people of all the four provinces from Karachi to KPK. Very few living politicians are respected and trusted by the people like him. Such a treacherous statement attributed to him can not be from a patriot like him which caught millions of his long respecting Pakistanis within and abroad by shocking surprise.
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Jul 01, 2016 06:35pm
It is simple do a referendum in KP and everything will be clear if people of KP agree to what Mr Achakzai is saying or not. If the vote is yes then so be it but if the vote is no then Mr Achakzai should resign from politics.
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Jul 01, 2016 06:38pm
No action taken by interior minister...he is only after soft targets
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Jul 01, 2016 06:46pm
8 members of your family enjoys the senior most Position in Pakistan.Pakistan has given you an ability to recognize yourself.And you are stabbing in Pakistan's back. It was really shocking to listen such comments from you.
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Jul 01, 2016 06:54pm
people's of hazara r suffering due to these afghanisand other hegemonic ppl of kpk.No one talks about hardships facing by hindko speakers.A third person Mr achackzai from quetta claims ownership of kpk he never discusses well being of other populace who r indigen of the province.Chitrali,kokistani , and hazara r in great difficultiesdue to linguistic and in development and jobs discrimination.We r also genuine owner of kpk with pa?toons how come afghanI have more say then us.The best thing is change the name of the province again to NWFP.most problem will b solved r create a hazara unit separately.
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Jul 01, 2016 07:07pm
KPK is not is estate, he should be sent to Afghanistan along with other refugees. It is too much, Afghan refugees must fo now.
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Jul 01, 2016 07:32pm
Now i Know why he has no MPA in kpk!
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Jul 01, 2016 07:56pm
Please don't get ignited we all are Pakistanis and shall remain united as Pakistanis with equal rights. Pakistan is our beloved country. The statement of Mr.Achakzai was based on the historical background which has been taken out of context. If you gentlemen remember at one point in time, there were attempts on our side for the creation of a confederation with the Afghanistan which did not materialize due to certain reasons. In the confederation, the concept of the border would have done away and the position as existed before the demarcation of Durand Line in 1893 would have restored automatically.
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Jul 01, 2016 08:28pm
I am from KP and i am not ready in any case to accommodate them in my province. If Afghans are in love for their own country or India please both of the doors are open. Just leave us. You will be considered worst part of the memory.
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Jul 01, 2016 08:30pm
I think we should leave Mr Achkzai alone some he made a mistake and he has clarified his position in this so he is forgiven. May be he was being boisterous in the interview, especially being interviews for an Afghanistan Times. It is about time we ended this matter calmly.
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Jul 01, 2016 08:56pm
Will he be accepted by afghanis as their citizen.I don't think so.He must apologise to the Pakistani nation for his ill thoughts.
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Jul 02, 2016 07:47pm
Of course dubious politicians like him love to change their original statements as soon as they create any controversy. What a serious joke?
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