ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Thursday made it clear that Afghan refugees will have to leave Pakistan “come what may”.

“Pakistan cannot host Afghan refugees for further period,” the federal minister said.

Qadir Baloch said Afghan refugees have occupied over one million jobs in Pakistan, thus creating financial problems for the locals.

“It is difficult for the locals in various cities to find jobs as over one million Afghan refugees are working in Pakistan,” the minister added.

The country’s economy is unable to bear the burden over two million refugees and “they (refugees) are left with no other option but to leave Pakistan”, said Baloch.

Editorial: Plight of Afghan refugees

The minister alleged that Afghanistan didn’t fulfil its promise regarding repatriation of refugees.

“Afghan government didn’t act upon the plan devised by Pakistan for repatriation of its citizens.”

Qadir Baloch termed the apprehensions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government regarding Afghan Refugees as genuine.

“The KP government is right in saying that Afghan refugees are hurting the economy and culture of the province beside their involvement in crimes,” the minister added.