PM Khan allows registered Afghan refugees to open bank accounts in Pakistan
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Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday announced that he had issued instructions for registered Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan to be allowed to open bank accounts.
"From now onwards they can participate in the formal economy of the country," the premier said, referring to registered Afghan refugees.
"This should have been done a long time ago," Khan concluded.
Pakistan is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, home to an estimated 2.4 million registered and undocumented people who have fled Afghanistan, some as far back as the Soviet invasion of 1979.
Less than a month after taking office, Prime Minister Khan had in September last year ignited a national debate with a vow to grant citizenship to Afghan refugees born in Pakistan — potentially creating more than a million new citizens.
As opposition parties protested against the proposal, Khan had later justified his remarks but said the government would consult all political parties before taking a final decision on the matter.
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Comments (70) Closed
Feb 25, 2019 04:36pm
Excellent, this is a good example that if the politicians play around with ethnicity and impede the praise worthy targets of the executive, there are still innovative solutions that go some way in achieving the objective.
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Feb 25, 2019 04:40pm
Great step towards documented economy.
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Feb 25, 2019 04:42pm
PM continues to win the hearts.Truly a world leader
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Feb 25, 2019 04:58pm
Thanks Imran khan for fixing our problems little by little everyday
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Feb 25, 2019 04:59pm
Good step.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:03pm
This move by IK will not be welcomed in Pakistan as the country has suffered a lot by the Afghan crises and the country continues to be humiliated by its leaders at all forums. They should all be sent back asap.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:05pm
Good step, this will encourage payment of taxes, revenue transfer and accountability.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:14pm
Great decision which will go a long way in bringing more transparency and openness in banking, lending, borrowing, transfering and overall financial activities in the "Land of the Pure."
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Feb 25, 2019 05:15pm
I cant stop praising you for this brave, generous and wise decision. Let the people of the subcontinent get united against hating beings in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and beyond.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:18pm
not sure if this will get them to open bank accounts.
The whole banking system is a mess in Pakistan and requires major changes.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:25pm
Another bad decision in country's interest.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:31pm
King Khan
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Feb 25, 2019 05:37pm
Thanks, Khan Sahab, assimilation is the Key!!
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Feb 25, 2019 05:44pm
Good decision! They were living in the country but not contributing towards the economy.
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Feb 25, 2019 05:47pm
Very good step
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Feb 25, 2019 06:00pm
Good move. I hope these Afghans appreciate Pakistan and remain law abiding and patriotic towards Pakistan.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:00pm
Good move-IK
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Feb 25, 2019 06:03pm
A good step, I hope all law-abiding Afghanis to get proper citizenship as well, not the crooked way.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:04pm
Not a welcome move and sign..
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Feb 25, 2019 06:07pm
Good decision
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Feb 25, 2019 06:08pm
No Afghan refugee should be given Pakistan citizenship.
All Afghan refugees should be sent back asap.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:09pm
Decision commendable.#PMIK
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Feb 25, 2019 06:09pm
It's about time they be given citizenship.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:19pm
Well done PM! This is how civilized nation operate.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:24pm
Right step. Should have been done long time ago.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:25pm
A wise move but they must also pay tax esp those who are well established and running transport and other businesses.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:40pm
It is because govt is short of money, desperate measures
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Feb 25, 2019 06:43pm
great move - this will get more cash in the banks which can be beneficial to the economy
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Feb 25, 2019 06:44pm
Give them a path to citizenship. For most, this is the only country they know.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:50pm
People deserves a chance !
Great move by PM Imran Khan!
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Feb 25, 2019 06:51pm
I can not believe this was even something that had to be done. This government has so many things to correct.
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Feb 25, 2019 06:51pm
Wise move. Bring them to economy and tax net.
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Feb 25, 2019 07:04pm
Good step. This will help to boost reserve also.
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Feb 25, 2019 07:05pm
very good decision
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Feb 25, 2019 07:26pm
Very good move and give Afghan people sense of belonging and security. Every move IK is making is in good faith for humanity.
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Feb 25, 2019 07:38pm
Excellent step. This will increase the revenue and as a matter of fact, those REGISTERED refugees should be given Pakistan Citizenship, provided they give up their Afghan citizenship and testify to the constitution of Pakistan. Pakistan should emulate Israel and accept MUSLIMS from any part of the world. If Jinnah would have been alive, this is the path he would have chosen.
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Feb 25, 2019 07:46pm
Yes. Many families have members in Europe, America and Gulf countries.
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Feb 25, 2019 08:00pm
They are our brothers .... grant them citizenship.....
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Feb 25, 2019 08:03pm
Great! This will help to boost reserve
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Feb 25, 2019 08:21pm
How ever is born in Pakistan should be given citizenship of Pakistan.
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Feb 25, 2019 08:24pm
Et them open account. They are certain to bring capital through official means. I don't mind if someone bring certain amount of foreign exchange as determine by state should be entitled to citizen ship of the country.
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Feb 25, 2019 08:24pm
excellent example of a statesman and leader .... wining millions of hearts in just few months ...... on the other hand Indian politicians could not win the heart of Kashmiris in 72 years....
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Feb 25, 2019 08:47pm
Refugeses and Asylum seekers must be integrated into the society based on Islamic rules and Pakistan is an Islamic Republic.
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Feb 25, 2019 08:51pm
Long overdue
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Feb 25, 2019 09:34pm
Afghans and law abiding, paying taxes, and show their earnings are two different things. They will never open a bank account. Keep dreaming
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Feb 25, 2019 09:40pm
Your Comment. let India , Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan should fight the common enemy Poverty, unemployment, corruption etc.
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Feb 25, 2019 09:51pm
Although I hate Afghans because they hate us even after we opened our country to them for safety. Still, I am happy, as no matter how they are, they are still our brothers and sisters.
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Feb 25, 2019 09:57pm
@AB, very good
Really true.
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Feb 25, 2019 09:58pm
Good step to integrate our refuge brothers. Peace both for Afghan and pak brotherhood.
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Feb 25, 2019 09:58pm
@ Durrani, No No .Afghani go to your country
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Feb 25, 2019 10:02pm
I am sorry - this may be desirable decision, BUT a waiver of immigration rules MUST be by parliamentary act, not PM alone.
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Feb 25, 2019 10:04pm
@Javed, why.? This is not their country .must leave my county
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Feb 25, 2019 10:14pm
Excellent Imran Khan
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Feb 25, 2019 10:15pm
@Marlin US, agree but not the part where they have to relinquish their Afghan Citizenship.
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Feb 25, 2019 10:39pm
Great decision by PM Imran Khan.
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Feb 25, 2019 11:21pm
good move
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Feb 25, 2019 11:30pm
And keep creating problems for people like me who are trying to settle down here after so many years abroad and can’t open foreign currency account. Incredible.
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Feb 26, 2019 12:14am
I am not sure about this but PMIK is very smart and he knows better than all of us put together. So I agree with him.
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Feb 26, 2019 01:00am
@Hasnain Haque,
In dreams only
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Feb 26, 2019 01:00am
@Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad,
Now from here the investment will come from..
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Feb 26, 2019 01:01am
@Ahmed,
Cant you see the hope from last 2 decade's how much we gained..
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Feb 26, 2019 01:27am
@Amjad, I will be the first one to open one. I live in the US but my family lives in Pakistan, I send them money almost every year in millions through hawala and other illegal means because they do not have any legal means to receive money. They keep all their cash either at home or with Hawala trader. I always wished they could open a bank account where they could keep their cash and have a peace of mind that their cash is in safe place. Once they have a bank account I can start sending it through proper banking channel and keep it legal. I am pretty sure majority of Afghans living in Pakistan have similar problem.
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Feb 26, 2019 02:13am
Just give those who were born in Pakistan and those who arrived before 1985 and be done. Close the chapter.
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Feb 26, 2019 02:30am
I am not sure about this decision.
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Feb 26, 2019 02:45am
Registered Afghan Refugees? Do we have unregistered Afghan Refugees too? That would be alarming if we do.
A positive move. The money can be brought into circulation.
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Feb 26, 2019 03:39am
What is next, the Indians!
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Feb 26, 2019 03:53am
People of Pakistan want these thankless refugees to go back....very bad decision . He needs to listen to the people and do what is best for Pakistan not Afghans.....
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Feb 26, 2019 06:26am
When you spend 4 or 5 years in Britain, US or Canada, you are granted a Citizenship. Why not these refugees who have spent decades in Pakistan are not granted a citizenship.
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Feb 26, 2019 07:43am
This will really reduce our current account deficit. Will also take Pakistan out of Financial crises. Well done IK
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Feb 26, 2019 08:02am
Thanks IK giving new idea to Zardari.
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