Filippo Grandi lauds Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has lauded the people and government of Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees for over four decades. The appreciation came during a meeting between United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi and Minister for States, Frontier Regions, Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Engineer Amir Muqam in Islamabad today. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said 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 Pakistan acknowledges UNHCR's continued support for Afghan refugees in Pakistan for the past forty five years. He said Pakistan hosts millions of Afghan refugees, providing protection, education and health facilities to them. The Minister expressed his conce rns that there is decline in support for Afghan refugees and allocation of development funds for them in Pakistan. Engineer Amir Muqam stressed the need for exclusive, generous and sustainable interventions in this connection. Representative of the UNHCR in Pakistan Ms Philippa Candler was also present on the occasion. Source: Radio Pakistan