ISLAMABAD - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi says peace is vital for the safe return of Afghan refugees to their homeland.
During his visit to the Afghan refugee camp Jalozai, Nowshera, he commended Pakistan for the hospitality it had shown to the refugees over the past four decades.
Accompanied by noted actress Mahira Khan, Grandi urged the global fraternity to help displaced people. Afghan refugees still needed assistance and resources should be made available for them, he added.
Afghan refugees in Pakistan needed support in education, health and other sectors, the UN official said, adding Prime Minister Imran Khan had assured him that the refugees won’t be forced to leave.
Filippo Grandi was also accompanied by the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Mark Lowcock.
Some 1.4 million Afghans were registered as refugees in Pakistan and for their voluntary repatriation two centres had been established in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, he said. (Pajhwok)