Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif stated that despite challenges, Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees with utmost respect and dignity. He urged the international community to share the responsibility of easing Pakistan’s burden of hosting such a large number of Afghan refugees and to work towards a sustainable solution to this issue.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Filippo Grandi.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister referred to Pakistan’s longstanding partnership with the UNHCR, appreciating the UN’s support for Pakistan in hosting Afghan refugees for over four decades.
The Prime Minister emphasized that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan has always hosted Afghan refugees with great respect and dignity. He stressed that the international community should demonstrate collective responsibility to ease Pakistan’s burden of hosting a large number of Afghan refugees and work towards a lasting solution to this problem.
The Prime Minister urged the UNHCR to play its role in promoting a sustainable solution to address the situation of Afghan refugees, making Pakistan’s efforts in this regard fruitful.
Shehbaz Sharif stated that the safe and dignified return of Afghan refugees is one of the top priorities of the Government of Pakistan. He emphasized that in addressing the repatriation issue, the international community should consider the socio-economic challenges and security threats faced by Pakistan.
The UN High Commissioner praised the Government of Pakistan for its exemplary hospitality in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for several decades.
He assured the Prime Minister that the UNHCR would continue to work with Pakistan to meet the basic needs of Afghan refugees.
It is noteworthy that the UN High Commissioner is on a visit to Pakistan from July 7 to 9, 2024.
