DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked the international community to recognise Pakistan’s efforts in hosting Afghan refugees and demonstrate collective responsibility as the country itself battles with major economic issues.
The PM’s remarks came on Tuesday during a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, who is in Pakistan from July 7-9.
During the meeting, PM Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to address the protection and safety needs of people in vulnerable situations.
He also underscored that the international community needed to be mindful of the socio-economic challenges and security threats being faced by Pakistan in this regard.
While recalling Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with UNHCR, the prime minister appreciated the UN agency’s support to Islamabad in hosting Afghan refugees for over four decades.
He noted that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees with exemplary respect and dignity.
PM Shehbaz sought UNHCR’s support in mobilising adequate resources to supplement Pakistan’s efforts, urging the UN body to play its role in promoting durable solutions to address the situation of Afghan refugees, including through safe and dignified return and reintegration in their homeland, as well as third-country relocation.
The UN high commissioner expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s generosity and hospitality in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the past many decades and assured that UNHCR would continue to work closely with Pakistan to fulfill the basic needs of the Afghan refugees.
Earlier, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has lauded the people and government of Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees for over four decades.
The appreciation came during a meeting between United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Minister for States, Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam in Islamabad today.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said a global dialogue will likely to be held in October to discuss the issues pertaining to refugees and Pakistan would be specially invited in this meeting.
He expressed the hope that the event will create a new dimension and avenues for the support of refugees across the globe.
Speaking on the occasion, Engineer Amir Muqam said Pakistan acknowledges UNHCR’s continued support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan for the past forty five years.
He said Pakistan hosts millions of Afghan refugees, providing protection, education and health facilities to them.
The Minister expressed his concerns that there is decline in support for Afghan refugees and allocation of development funds for them in Pakistan.
Engineer Amir Muqam stressed the need for exclusive, generous and sustainable interventions in this connection.
Representative of the UNHCR in Pakistan Ms Philippa Candler was also present on the occasion.
