Pakistan is still second largest country in hosting refugees, says UN chief

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said that Pakistan is still the second largest country in hosting refugees, adding that despite many challenges Pakistan set a good example. Addressing a conference titled “40 years of Afghan Refugees Presence in Pakistan: A New Partnership for Solidarity”, the UN chief said solution lies in Afghanistan. Antonio Guterres has underlined the need for renewed commitment to peace in Afghanistan for successful repatriation of Afghan refugees. “We are here to serve Afghan people who deserve peace and stability and repatriation with safety and dignity,” he added. He said people of Pakistan extended generosity to the Afghan refugees for forty years, and this story is very close to his heart. He said Pakistan is still the second largest country in hosting refugees. He said despite many challenges Pakistan set a good example. “We must recognize that the international support has been minimal as compared to national contribution,” the UN secretary general said. He said time has come for international community to act and deliver with responsibility sharing. “Refugees is a big challenge, but this conference shows commitment to solve the issue,” he added. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi urged the global community to acknowledge the services of Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees. The UNHCR appreciated Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees from last forty years. “The recognition of global cooperation is very less than as Pakistan rendered services to host Afghan refugees,” he added. Filippo Grandi stressed that the global community should come forward to recognize Pakistan’s services for hosting Afghan refugees. “Pakistan and Iran hosted Afghan refugees in difficult times and the UN appreciates the role of host nations and its people in this context,” he maintained. The UNHCR underlined the need to find out the ways to safe return of refugees to Afghanistan. He also said Pakistan is bravely hosting the Afghans from last four decades. He also welcomed Pakistan’s move to allow Afghan refugees to have bank accounts. “The UN is in favour of safely return of Afghan refugees to their country. Afghan peace process can change the millions of lives,” the UNHCR mentioned.