Karachi (September 18, 2018): Balochistan National Party (BNP) Chief Akhtar Mengal and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader Taj Haider on Monday criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan for his plan to grant citizenship to Pakistan-born refugees of Afghan and Bangladeshi origin.
BNP Chief Akhtar Mengal termed PM Imran Khan’s decision to give nationality to Afghan refugees as ‘disappointing’
In a statement shared on his twitter handle, BNP Chief termed Imran Khan’s Karachi address disappointing, saying, “At one hand, Durand Line — the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan– is being fenced and on the other hand Afghan refugees were being provided National Identity Cards and passports.”
“If you (Imran Khan) want to give Afghanis Pakistani nationality, you should also end Durand Line and fencing of Afghan border,” BNP chief said.
He was also surprised on the government explanation that nationality was only provided to the Afghan refugees residing in Karachi.
Whereas PPP leader Taj Haider dubbed the move as an attempt to buy more votes for next general elections. He said that why is the prime minister so interested in granting Pakistani citizenship to the refugees. The PPP leader said, “Apparently, it is aimed at garnering more support for the PTI in the next elections.” 
According to the PPP leader, Pakistan belongs to Pakistanis and the refugees should be given the refugee status.
Haider also critical of the influx of economic migrants into Sindh, saying that it has created an imbalance in the province regarding wages and human resources.
Related News:
