Pakistan to hold international conference on Afghan refugees on Feb 17-18

Prime Minister Imran Khan will inaugurate the conference in Islamabad, says FO spokesperson

Pakistan, in collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), is organising an international conference to mark the 40-year-long stay of hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees in the country.

About 2.5 million Afghans live in Pakistan since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979.

The two-day conference titled as "40 Years of Afghan Refugees Presence in Pakistan: A New Partnership for Solidarity" will be in Islamabad on February 17 and 18 and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement on Sunday.

"UNHCR Filippo Grandi, ministers and senior officials from around 20 countries, who have been supporting the Afghan refugees across the globe and in Pakistan, will be participating," she said.

Senior level participation is also expected from the UN, multilateral developments banks, civil society and private sector.

"This conference is taking place at a critical juncture when efforts at consolidating peace in Afghanistan are making progress."



According to the communique, the meeting will provide an opportunity to highlight the "exemplary compassion, generosity and hospitality exhibited by Pakistan, in hosting one of the largest refugee populations in the world".

The FO spokesperson said the conference would also identify key developments and milestones in the 40-year-long evolution of the Afghan refugee situation, reflect on the lessons learned, identify the challenges, and discuss solutions for voluntary, dignified and sustainable repatriation of refugees to Afghanistan.

"Pakistan is confident that the conference will reinforce international efforts as agreed to in the UN Global Compact on Refugees and Global Refugee Forum to bring about a renewed focus on the Afghan refugees.

"It will also help in building a positive narrative on refugees, especially at a time when borders are being closed on them and millions are being made stateless under nationalistic and ideological pretences."