The prime minister of Pakistan, in a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, highlighted Pakistan’s hospitality toward Afghan refugees and called for the international community’s attention to Pakistan’s social, economic, and security challenges.
According to a statement from the government of Pakistan, Filippo Grandi pledged during the meeting that the UNHCR will continue to work closely with Pakistan to meet the essential needs of Afghan refugees.
“The Prime Minister noted that despite numerous challenges, Pakistan had hosted Afghan refugees with exemplary respect and dignity. 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,” the government of Pakistan wrote.
Pakistani journalist Tahir Khan told TOLOnews: “Shehbaz Sharif also mentioned in this meeting that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees with great respect.”
Additionally, Filippo Grandi, in his meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan, discussed sustained cooperation for the dignified return of Afghan refugees and finding long-term solutions to this issue.
“The High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality and generosity for hosting the Afghan refugees despite facing challenges on various fronts. Discussions were held on sustained cooperation for the well-resourced, safe, and dignified return of Afghan refugees and long term sustainable solutions,” the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Pakistan said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan reported that in the past 18 days, over 18,000 Afghan refugees have returned from Iran and Pakistan.
Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation said: “In the past eighteen days, approximately 18,600 refugees have returned to their country, with nearly 4,500 coming from Pakistan and about 14,000 returning from Iran.”
Previously, in the initial phase of expelling illegal immigrants, the interim government of Pakistan deported more than 500,000 Afghan refugees from the country.
SOURCE: TOLO NEWS
