SAFRON, UNHCR to jointly hold mega event on World Refugee Day
The minister said purpose of the event is to sensitise the world about the issue of Afghan refugees.
ISLAMABAD (APP) – State Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Shehryar Khan Afridi Friday announced to observe World Refugee Day in a befitting manner, showcasing the forty years of hospitality by Pakistan to over four million Afghan Refugees.
Chairing a joint meeting of Ministry of SAFRON, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Afghan Commissionerate here, the Minister said that the World Refugee Day would be observed with a new theme to showcase the forty years of hospitality for Afghan Refugees as this sacrifice and generosity offered by the Government and peoples of Pakistan has no parallel in the world history, a press release issued here.
Federal Secretary SAFRON Ministry Mohammad Aslam, Joint Secretary Rana Akhlaq, Chief Commissioner Afghan Refugees Salim Iqbal Khan and other officials attended the meeting.
UNHCR Country Representative Ms Ruvendrini Menikdiwela along with Ms Kristina Zitnanova, Ms Atsuko Watanabe, Faisal Azam Khan, Qaisar Khan and Asif Shahzad represented the UNHCR.
“In today’s world, when world is closing its borders for migrants and refugees, Pakistan is not only hosting our Afghan brothers but we are also sharing our food, our property and our resources in line with the spirit of Madinah (where Ansaar hosted migrants from Makkah). We need to tell the story of sacrifices made by Pakistani people and the state to the world now,” said the minister.
The minister said that the purpose of the event is to sensitise the world about the issue of Afghan refugees whom Pakistan has been taking care of despite its meager resources and crunch financial situation.
“We need to make the world remind its responsibilities and promises made to the Afghan refugees. The SAFRON Ministry and UNHCR would hold a joint event to mark the World Refugee Day which would largely be attended by Afghan Refugees and people from all walks and colours of life,” he said.
Welcoming the minister’s remarks, UNHCR Country Representative Ms Ruvendrini Menikdiwela said it would be a great opportunity to jointly hold an event to observe the World Refugee Day. She said that the UNHCR would love to work with the SAFRON Ministry to help manage the Afghan refugees.
