Monday August 26, 2013
Kabul (BNA): Minister of Refugees and Returnees Dr. Jamahir Anwari says talks are underway with Iranian officials related to extension of residence period for illegal Afghan refugees in Iran.
In an interview with BNA, Dr. Anwari said the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriates has received no official letters from Iranian officials so far related to expulsion of illegal Afghan refugees, adding some media has released exaggerating reports in this regard.
Anwari further said in a telephone contacts with Iranian general director of foreign nationals and deputy minister of interior, he discussed related to residence of 400_600,000 Afghan refugees living illegally in Iran where their residence period ended within two weeks and asked the Iranian officials for extension of the residence period of Afghan refugees.
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriates told BNA Afghan ambassador to Iran also held discussions with Iranian officials related to the issue, adding the officials promised Iran would clear its stance regarding to the refugees within two weeks.
He said Iranian Deputy Minister of Interior and general director of foreign nationals would soon pay a visit to Kabul, hoping residence period of refugees would be extended.
