UNHCR Chief Urges Enhanced Support for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Islamabad: During a recent three-day visit, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, emphasized the need for strengthened efforts to develop long-term solutions for Afghan refugees in Pakistan, advocating for both the refugees and their host communities.

According to The UN Refugee Agency, Grandi’s visit included stops in Peshawar and Haripur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where he engaged with Afghan refugees in both urban and village settings. The refugees expressed concerns about their current circumstances but also a willingness to contribute positively in Pakistan and, eventually, Afghanistan. In Islamabad, discussions with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior officials focused on the critical need to extend the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for over 1.3 million Afghan refugees. Grandi praised the suspension of the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” and sought assurances for its continued suspension.

Grandi advocated for a significant shift in the aid model, urging a move towards sustainable solutions that involve responsibility sharing and the formation of new partnerships. He proposed a dialogue later in the year to develop a comprehensive support package for Afghans in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for conditions that support voluntary returns to Afghanistan, including job opportunities and access to services.

As Pakistan hosts approximately 3 million Afghans, Grandi called for exploring all solutions, including third-country resettlement and more permanent solutions within Pakistan itself, to manage this protracted displacement.

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