Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged the UN Refugee Agency to play its role in promoting durable solution to address the situation of Afghan refugees including through safe and dignified return and reintegration in their homeland and third country relocation.

Talking to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi here in Islamabad, he stressed that the international community must recognize the burden being shouldered by Pakistan while hosting such a large refugee population and demonstrate collective responsibility, according to an official statement issued here on Tuesday.

He sought UNHCR’s support in mobilizing adequate resources to supplement Pakistan’s efforts in this regard. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to address protection and safety needs of people in vulnerable situations, the Prime Minister underscored that the international community needed to be mindful of the socio-economic challenges and security threats being faced by Pakistan in this regard.

The UN High Commissioner expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s generosity and hospitality in hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the past many decades. He assured the UNHCR would continue to work closely with Pakistan to fulfill the basic needs of the Afghan refugees.