Afghanistan Peace CampaignMohammad Abbas Khan, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees, has called for an international conference to increase the acceptance of Afghan refugees living in Pakistan by Western countries.
According to a report by the Dawn newspaper, Pakistan’s High Commissioner for Refugees emphasized that Western countries should expedite the process of accepting Afghan applicants currently residing in Pakistan.
The report stated that Mohammad Abbas Khan suggested this conference should address challenges such as the voluntary return of refugees to Afghanistan and their resettlement in third countries.
He added that a trilateral meeting with the Kabul administration and the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) would soon be held to discuss the challenges faced by Afghan refugees and migrants.
The Pakistani official noted that around 600,000 Afghan applicants are currently registered with the UNHCR in Pakistan, seeking resettlement in Western countries.
He further stated that the resettlement quota for UN-registered Afghan applicants this year is only 8,000 people.
Mohammad Abbas Khan emphasized that Afghanistan’s capacity to absorb returning refugees is extremely limited.
The situation of Afghan refugees in Pakistan highlights the urgent need for global collaboration to address their resettlement challenges. Without adequate international support, both the refugees and the host countries face significant humanitarian and logistical burdens.
This call for an international conference underscores the importance of shared responsibility in dealing with the refugee crisis.
It is a pivotal moment for Western countries to step forward and provide sustainable solutions for displaced Afghan families, ensuring their safety, dignity, and a better future.