Mahira Khan lends support to Afghan refugees in Pakistan on World Refugee Day

Today marks the UNHCR's World Refugee Day, in a bid to bring global awareness to the plight of refugees around the world.  Mahira Khan is voicing her narrative by tweeting about Pakistan's role in hosting millions of Afghan refugees.

The Goodwill ambassador is no stranger to talking about the issue, after visiting Afghan refugee camps across the country.  Last year, Mahira publicly went to Peshawar with the United Nations High Commissioner For Refugees Chief Filippo Grandi, who was in Pakistan for a three-day visit along with UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock.

Now, the Bin Roye actor took to social media to remind everyone about the plight of refugees and the nation giving many of them a home.

UNHCR appreciates the people and Government of #Pakistan for generously hosting #Afghan @Refugees for four decades. https://t.co/6M5yhEBkQG pic.twitter.com/KLcznsVogX

— UNHCR Pakistan (@UNHCRPakistan) June 20, 2019

"They've been denied a home, but we haven't denied them hope," Mahira tweeted.

She continued, "Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees over several years and continues to do so, we have given them a home within our motherland."

They’ve been denied a home.. but we haven’t denied them hope. Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees over several years and continues to do so, we have given them a home within our motherland 🇵🇰 #WorldRefugeeDay #UNHCR @UNHCRPakistan pic.twitter.com/olNs55kqtd

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 20, 2019

A UNHCR video alongside the tweet was attached, with Mahira narrating Pakistan's assistance of Afghan refugees over the past 40 years.

Actor Yasin Hussain was also present in the video, saying, "nobody would willingly choose to leave the comfort of their own homes."

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Mahira continued after the star, pointing out that refugees are in fact victims of war and terrorism.

"When the refugees of Makkah were welcomed by the Ansar of Medina with an open heart, the tradition of brotherhood and solidarity came alive," Mahira said in the video.

"To this day, the nation has kept these traditions alive."

This year, the theme and hashtag is #StepWithRefugees.  Around the world, communities, schools, businesses, faith groups and people from all walks of life are taking big and small steps in solidarity with refugees. This World Refugee Day, UNHCR is challenging everyone to join together and take a step with refugees.

Mahira also tweeted about this notion, saying that "more than 70 million people were forced to flee in 2018."

She is calling on her followers to take the lead in the movement by helping refugees in any way they can.

More than70 million people were forced to flee in 2018.
That’s one person every two seconds who have been denied a home.
Please join me and take a #StepWithRefugees  this #WorldRefugeeDay  - go to https://t.co/ofVoctFQhE

 #WorldRefugeeDay  #UNHCR pic.twitter.com/QPlYqc4He2

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 20, 2019

Mahira said that she was very happy to have visited Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the first time last year, after meeting with Afghan refugees. She added that she personally wanted to help them and educate them for their bright future.

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