Minister for States and Frontier Regions Senator Muhammad Talha Mahmood has called for support to host communities of refugees.
Addressing a ceremony in connection with World Refugee Day in Islamabad on Monday, he said financial challenges of Pakistan in hosting more than three million Afghans in the country, including some 1.3 million Afghan refugees, requires sustainable, dedicated and generous support of the international community.
Highlighting the need for sustainable durable solutions, the Minister further underscored that the international community must come forward to play their role under international responsibility and burden sharing, in line with the Global Compact on Refugees.
He said voluntary return of Afghans in safety and dignity is the preferred solution for Pakistan.
Speaking on the occasion, UNHCR’s Representative in Pakistan Ms. Noriko Yoshida said that amid its own challenges, Pakistan has remained a steadfast host of those in need of international protection.
She said Pakistan has been a generous host to millions of refugees for more than 40 years. She said international community must mobilize more support to assist refugees and their host communities in this country.
Source: Radio Pakistan