On the occasion of International Refugees Day, Director, Pakistan Study Centre, University of Peshawar, Dr. Fakhr-ul-Islam talked to BBC. His interview was aired in programme "Seerbeen" and was also displayed on BBC Urdu website (http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/multimedia/2013/06/130619_pak_immigrants_sh.shtml).

Dr. Fakhar said that despite the fact that Pakistan is not signatory to international Refugees Convention but still it is providing shelter to biggest number of Afghan refugees. He said that the presence of Afghan refugees in Pakistan have both positive and negative impacts on the economy of Pakistan. The positive effects include brisk economic activities on border of both the countries and capturing of Afghan market by Pakistani entrepreneurs. On the other hand, the crossing over of thousands of people of border between the two neighbours has led to increased smuggling and misuse of Pak-Afghan transit trade agreement. He proposed revisiting of Transit Trade Agreement and giving incentives to importers and exporters in Pakistan business community.