KABUL – Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said his country took care of Afghan refugees as a sacred duty and they would be returned to their country with dignity.

The prime minister expressed these views with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres who called on him on Monday.

A statement from the Prime Minister House’s said both the dignitaries discussed matters relating to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, including their repatriation to their homeland.

Pakistan, the prime minister reiterated paid a heavy price in fighting terrorism and now there was a national consensus to eliminate this menace.

Referring to military Operation Zarb-e-Azb, he said that the anti-militants offensive successfully destroyed terrorists’ hideouts and the first batch of displaced persons had returned to their homes.

The government had allocated $1 billion for reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected area, he informed.

Guterres informed Nawaz he was on his annual Ramadan solidarity visit and condoled on the loss of lives due to heatwave in Karachi.

Minister for State and Frontier Region Lt. Gen. (Retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch, Advisor to PM on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz and others were present on the occasion. (Pajhwok)