ISLAMABAD: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Pakistan Representative Ruven Menikdiwela called on Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi in Islamabad on Thursday and discussed matters related to refugees.
He greatly appreciated the compassion with which Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for the last four decades.
The interior minister said that Pakistan values the contribution of UNHCR towards humanity. Particularly, UNHCR played a crucial role for rehabilitation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, he added. He stressed that Pakistan’s ultimate objective is to serve humanity. He also stated that Pakistan’s achievements and successes in the war on terror and hosting refugees have not been fully appreciated across the globe.
The interior minister said that interior ministry will go an extra mile to support UNHCR in the interest of humanity, adding that UNHCR, in collaboration with Pakistan’s government, should take steps to highlight the Afghan refugee issue in Pakistan.
UNHCR representative said that Pakistan is the second Muslim country in the world that is hosting 1.4 million Afghan refugees. She also assured that UNHCR will continue to support and assist Pakistan in the resolution of the refugee issue.