Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the occasion of World Refugee Day stressed the importance of the successful return of Afghan citizens and a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. In his message today, he reinforced the notion that protecting refugees is the collective duty of the international community.
In his announcement, Prime Minister Sharif stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure that displaced people are able to return to their homeland with dignity and a hopeful future, rather than living in perpetual exile.
Reflecting on the past, he recalled the influx of Afghan refugees to Pakistan post-1979, fleeing conflict and chaos. Despite Pakistan’s limited resources, he noted, the country generously welcomed these individuals, offering shelter and support to them and their descendants.
For over forty years, Pakistan has ranked among the largest hosts of refugees worldwide, accommodating several generations of Afghans who have accessed employment, education, and essential services. This hospitality, Sharif indicated, was extended despite considerable strain on the nation’s resources.
Since September 2023, Pakistan has been executing a phased repatriation plan, allowing for the orderly return of Afghan citizens. By June 2026, the government aims to have facilitated the return of over 2.4 million Afghans.
Sharif acknowledged the economic, social, environmental, and security challenges Pakistan has confronted during this period. He underscored the need for a peaceful and economically robust Afghanistan, which is crucial for the dignified return and lasting reintegration of its nationals.
Pakistan, according to the Prime Minister, deeply appreciates its cooperation with the International Organisation for Migration, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the international community in pursuing this mutual goal.