Mahira Khan calls for collective effort to overcome refugee crisis

PESHAWAR: Actor and social activist Mahira Khan says there is a need to work collectively to overcome the refugee crisis.

Speaking at a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) event after visiting an Afghan refugee camp in the KP capital on Saturday, the actor said, “More than half of the refugees are children. This is a huge thing because children are our future.”

“If we come together and collectively try to help the situation in whatever little way we can, we are only making the future of this world better,” the actor continued.

Mahira further said that her work with the UNHCR has just begun and that she’s very honoured to be a part of this cause.

She said, “If this imperative issue is being highlighted better and my presence is making people more aware, then I’d love to contribute.”

Mahira shared the stage with the UNHCR Chief Filippo Grandi who is in Pakistan for a three-day visit along with UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock.

Speaking at the event, Grandi said that development in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa must be accelerated.

“Education is a priority for refugees and host communities in Pakistan. Young Afghans need that to return,” he said after visiting a repatriation centre in Azakhel.

Since 2002, around 4.3 million Afghan refugees have returned home from Pakistan with UNHCR’s assistance.

Mahira previously visited refugee camps in Karachi also and shared pictures from her visit on social media.