Deportation of illegal Pakistanis: government to allow negotiating agreement with Austria

Caretaker federal cabinet is all set to allow Interior Ministry to negotiate agreement with Austria regarding deportation of illegal Pakistanis, official sources told Business Recorder. Pakistanis who have been granted refugee status in Austria may return to Pakistan on the basis of their free wish in accordance with 1951 Convention and 1967 Protocol relating to the status of refugees.
The sources said Embassy of Austria Islamabad had forwarded a draft agreement, on code of practice for co-operation pertaining to return of Pakistanis to their country, between the GoP and Austria. According to the agreement both countries will recognise that the right of all citizens to leave and to return to their country is a basic human right enshrined in Article 13(2) of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 12 of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights;
The government will welcome the return of Pakistanis, as they bring with them valuable experiences and skills, including those returning from countries outside the region; Both countries resolve to cooperate to assist the voluntary, dignified, safe and orderly return to and successful reintegration in Pakistan of Pakistanis now in Austria who also opt to return;
Both countries noting the desire of the sides to work with each other to achieve full observance of international human rights and humanitarian standards, in particular those relating to the repatriation of persons having fled from persecution and armed conflict in conditions of safety and dignity.
Recognising the need to establish a framework for such co-operation, to ensure proper planning as well as to decide on specific procedures and modalities of return and reintegration programmes, as may be supported, where appropriate, by other intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. Both sides will accept that Pakistanis who have been granted a residence permit on humanitarian grounds may return to Pakistan on the basis of their freely expressed wish.