Minister of Emigrants and Returnees Affairs Mohammad Akbar Akbar urged Gulf countries to help find a lasting solution to the humanitarian problem of some 3.5 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and Iran. Akbar made the call at a press conference at the end of the tenth tripartite commission meeting among Afghanistan, Pakistan and the UNHCR held in Doha on 31 May. During the meeting, all parties renewed their commitment to seek a final solution to the Afghan refugees’ problem while continuing to respect the principle of voluntary repatriation.
Source: Barbara Bibbo, “Regional states’ assistance sought in repatriation of Afghan refugees," Gulf News, 1 June 2006