UNHCR Praises Pakistan’s Generosity Toward Afghan Refugees, Urges Continued Support

On World Refugee Day, UNHCR lauded Pakistan for sheltering 2.35 million Afghan refugees, praising its decades-long support amid tightening global asylum policies and ongoing repatriation challenges.

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A UNHCR representative on Friday appreciated the Pakistan government and its people for generously hosting Afghan refugees for decades and urged the country to continue its support for displaced people.

In a statement issued on the occasion of World Refugee Day, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative for Pakistan Philippa Candler said that the country is contributing to the global refugee cause at a time when “we are witnessing shrinking asylum space worldwide”.

“Pakistan stands in solidarity with millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and violence,” the statement said.

“Pakistan continues to demonstrate remarkable generosity and hospitality, currently hosting over 2.35 million Afghan refugees, including Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders and others in need of protection,” it added.

Candler appreciated the people of Pakistan and the government for generously hosting Afghan refugees for decades.

She said that the UNHCR remains committed to working with the Pakistan government to find long-term solutions -- through return, resettlement, and alternative legal pathways, and to protect those who continue to need asylum.

This year’s theme, “Solidarity with Refugees”, is a call to action to ensure compassion, support, and inclusion for displaced populations, the UNHCR said.

In April, Pakistan began deporting Afghan refugees as part of a nationwide drive to expel them from the country after a deadline for their voluntary return expired.

The crackdown was launched after the deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders ended on March 31.

The Afghans began to arrive in Pakistan in the 1980s due to the deteriorating security situation in the wake of the invasion by the forces of the former USSR. 

(This report has been published as part of the auto-generated syndicate wire feed. Apart from the headline, no editing has been done in the copy by ABP Live.)