Photo credit: Aljazeera
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, is on a three-day visit to Pakistan to address challenges faced by Afghan refugees and Islamabad’s repatriation plans.
Amu reports that he met with Afghan refugees and asylum seekers in Peshawar where he was briefed on their difficulties by a delegation of refugees.
The spokesperson of UNHCR Pakistan said, “The UNHCR chief assured Afghan refugees that he would discuss all issues with Pakistani officials.”
Grandia also met with Amir Muqam, Pakistan’s for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), in Peshawar. The ministry oversees matters related to Afghan refugees. Muqam told Grandi that, “Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for 40 years despite serious economic difficulties.”
It is the first visit by Grandi to Pakistan since the country announced a plan to repatriate “illegal foreigners” in October last year. In response to Pakistan’s plan, the Taliban responded that Pakistan should stop the operation. Since November 1, 2023, almost half a million undocumented Afghans have been repatriated. Officials estimated that about 1.7 million illegal Afghans remain in Pakistan.
“The refugee issue is becoming complicated worldwide. Conflicts are leading to refugee crises, and attention must be paid to resolving issues these conflicts,” Minister Muqam told Grandi.
The UNHCR delegation praised Pakistan for its long-standing support of Afghan refugees.
