Pakistan’s management of Afghan refugees a success story: Hyder

RAWALPINDI: Caretaker Minister for Defence Lieutenant General (retd) Anwar Ali Hyder on Wednesday said despite numerous challenges as a developing country, Pakistan’s management of Afghan refugees over decades represents a success story.

He said this in a meeting with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and Pacific Indrika Ratwatte, who called on the minister.

While speaking to the visiting dignitary, the minister said that Pakistan attaches great importance to its cooperation with UNHCR and international partners to assist and seek durable solutions for Afghan refugees, the official news agency reported.

“We have provided our Afghan brothers access to educational and medical facilities, as well as commercial services. The protracted situation of Afghan refugees must not be placed on the back burner as a new crisis emerges on the international arena. The international community must continue to provide adequate and sustained financial support to host countries,” Hyder said.

He also said that support from UNHCR is important to explore avenues for additional financial support to returning refugees and incentivising their return and reintegration in Afghanistan.

Both sides agreed to extend cooperation in the domain of security and other areas of mutual interest.