ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Monday.
During the meeting, both the dignitaries discussed the protracted Afghan refugee situation in Pakistan.
The High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s hospitality and generosity for hosting the Afghan refugees despite facing challenges on various fronts.
The discussions were held on sustained cooperation for the well-resourced, safe, and dignified return of Afghan refugees and long term sustainable solutions.
Separately, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi also met the and Minister for States, Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam.
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that a global dialogue will likely to be held in October to discuss the issues pertaining to refugees and Pakistan would be specially invited in this meeting. He expressed the hope that the event will create a new dimension and avenues for the support of refugees across the globe.
Speaking on the occasion, Engineer Amir Muqam said that Pakistan acknowledges UNHCR’s continued support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan for the past 45 years.
Amir Muqam said that Pakistan hosts millions of Afghan refugees, providing protection, education and health facilities to them.
The minister expressed his concerns that there is decline in support for Afghan refugees and allocation of development funds for them in Pakistan. He stressed the need for exclusive, generous and sustainable interventions in this connection.
 Filippo Grandi held a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Islamabad on Monday.){kind=link}