Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees for last 40 years, certainly one of the biggest numbers of refugees living in a country for such long time.
Though the world community acknowledges the contribution of Pakistan but Islamabad has not received support that should have been provided by global community.
United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, while addressing a conference in Islamabad, accepted the reality by saying that international support for Pakistan has been minimal.
“We must recognize that international support for Pakistan has been minimal compared to (its own) national efforts (for Afghan refugees),” Guterres said. “The story of Pakistan and Afghan refugees is a story of compassion to be celebrated for many reasons, one of which is that such compassion is missing from much of the world,” said the UN chief.
For 40 years, he maintained, Pakistan has responded with solidarity with Afghan people. He urged the global community to step up its support to Pakistan, as we have marked 40 unbroken years of hosting millions of Afghan refugees.
Pakistan has been with Afghanistan through hardships and times of renewed conflict and uncertainty. Pakistan has extended great hospitality to Afghan refugees despite of the fact that it has paid heavy price.
The security situation has been compromised besides negative financial impact on already fragile economy. The security agencies have pointed out number of times that Afghans were found involved in terrorism as well as street crimes. The number of Afghans living in Pakistan is still around 2.7 million.
The responsible behavior of world community can make repatriation process of Afghan refugees possible at the earliest. It’s an admitted fact that Islamabad’s improved security situation is linked with stability in Kabul. If there will be peace in neighboring war-torn country, Pakistan will be enjoying much comfortable situation vis-à-vis law and order situation.
According to media reports, both the United States and Taliban are inching closer to a peace agreement. If it is materialized, Afghan refugees will feel comfortable to return home. The world community should make sure that repatriation process of Afghan refugees completes smoothly.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi is very much right in saying that Afghan refugees are seeking greater global commitment to the Afghan peace process. Today, Afghan refugees worldwide are looking for sustainable reintegration in Afghanistan.
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