SAFRON minister warns of refugees' influx amid rise in violence in Afghanistan

Shehryar Afridi urges UN high commissioner to work on challenges being faced by Pakistan in hosting Afghan refugees

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Narcotics Control and States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Shehryar Afridi on Sunday expressed concerns over the new wave of violence in Afghanistan, saying "recent surge in violence in Afghanistan may lead to new influx of refugees into Pakistan".

The statement comes after the federal minister met United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi in Geneva.

At 70th ExCom UNHCR High Commissioner assured UNHCR support to show case Pak’s service for Afghan Refugees. High Comissioner acknowledged this longest service of Pakistan for mankind & peace of world. He forwarded wishes for @ImranKhanPTI for his upcoming visit in Dec to Geneva. pic.twitter.com/4YdSC7VhTX

— Shehryar Afridi (@ShehryarAfridi1) October 12, 2019

Afridi said that irrespective of the fast developments taking place in Afghanistan, Pakistan would stand by its commitment for protection of Afghan refugees.

Briefing the UN official on the measures taken by the incumbent government for the well-being and welfare of the Afghan refugees, Afridi urged Grandi to work on the challenges being faced by Islamabad in hosting the refugees from the war-torn country.

"There is a need for the UNHCR teams to reach out to the Afghan refugees staying in refugee camps and provide basic health, education and other amenities," the state minister said.



Decrease in UNHCR allocation for Afghan refugees is a matter of concern as refugees already needed more assistance in camps, Afridi told the high commissioner that Prime Minister Imran Khan had agreed to co-convene the Global Refugee Forum (GRF) set for December this year.

"Pakistan intends to convene a conference to showcase the 40 years of hospitality of Afghan refugees in February next year," he also said.

The minister urged the humanitarian body to accelerate efforts to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees. "All stakeholders needed to address the impact of refugees faced by host communities."

He urged the UNHCR to highlight the contributions of host countries and host communities through effective advocacy campaigns and lauded the role of Germany and Italy for refugees in Pakistan.

UN High Commissioner  Grandi appreciated the hospitality and the leadership of Pakistan in hosting of Afghan refugees.

"The UNHCR looking forward to welcome Prime Minister Imran Khan at the GRF due in December," he said while expressing hope that the events like the GRF, launch of Support Platform and Conference in Islamabad would help develop a momentum to garner support for Afghan refugees.