World Refugee Day was observed yesterday across the globe to remind the world that everyone can contribute to society, and that every action counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.
Refugees are among the most vulnerable people in the world and the world is witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record, with about 70.8mn people around the world forced from home by conflict and persecution.
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in his message on this occasion, said that World Refugee Day is a yearly reminder of importance of peace, prevention and resolution of conflicts that are the main reasons for forced displacement of millions of people.
This year, the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic has compounded the vulnerabilities of those already displaced by violence and conflicts.
Qureshi said that over the past forty years, the people of Pakistan have demonstrated exemplary generosity, solidarity and compassion in hosting millions of Afghan refugees.
He said that these humane values have shaped Pakistan’s inclusive policies in public health, education, livelihoods and social mobility.
The minister said Pakistan’s coronavirus response has been inclusive, wherein our health and other services are being utilised by Afghan refugees without discrimination.
He said that Pakistan has led efforts in advocacy, awareness-raising and good practices in caring for and protecting one of the largest protracted refugee populations in the world.
Qureshi said that Pakistan hosted an International Afghan Refugee Conference in Islamabad to mark 40 years of the Afghan refugees’ presence in the country, and seeking to find durable solutions to the protracted Afghan refugee situation.
He said that Pakistan values the commendable work of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) worldwide, and looks forward to the positive response to the UNHCR’s appeals for Afghan refugees and host communities in Pakistan.
The minister said that Pakistan renews its call for adherence to the principle of global burden and responsibility sharing, commitment to pursuing durable solutions, and an early peaceful settlement in Afghanistan that paves the way for time-bound, gradual, well-resourced and mutually-agreed framework for the repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
Children of Afghan refugees at a Lahore slum wave to the photographer.
