Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, June 22: Government today made it clear that it has no plans to give West Pakistani Refugees permanent citizenship right even as it maintained that they are the citizens of the India.
In a written reply to a question of MLA Engineer Sheikh Abdul Rasheed in Lower House, Minister incharge Revenue stated that there are 5764 families of West Pakistani refugees residing in the State and Government has no plans to give them the status of permanent residents of the State. However, at the same time it said that these refugees are Indian citizens.
“West Pakistani Refugees are not considered for appointment against any State Government post because they are not permanent residents of J&K State,” the Minister stated.
The Minister further stated that all the Displaced Persons (DPs) who were displaced from Pakistan occupied Kashmir being part of erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir including 31,619 families of DPs of PoJK of 1947, 3500 families of Chhamb Refugees of 1965, 4600 families Chhamb refugees of 1971 (camp) and 1965 families of Chhamb refugees of 1971( non-camp) are permanent residents of J&K.
“DPs of PoJK of 1947, 1965 and 1971 (camp and non camp) are eligible for appointment to any State Government posts/ any of the democratic institution including Panchayat, Assembly, Legislative Council, Rajya Sabha and Parliament,” the Minister stated.
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