UNHCR Balochistan head Tayyiba Sharif said on Wednesday that Pakistan has been housing largest group of refugees with longest time in the history of the UN. It is high time for the world community to sharing additional burden help Pakistan overcome the issue of 1.7 million Afghan refugees living in camps and Urban Centers across the country.
Talking to media men after the ceremony organised by the UNHCR in connection with the World Refugees Day here at local hotel, she commended the response of the government of Pakistan for hosting millions of refugees for over 30 years. Credit goes to Pakistan who, despite all difficulties and financial crunch, strove hard to provide the basic facilities to the millions of refugees accommodated in camps and urban areas in Pakistan, she maintained.
Sharif noted that UNHCR in collaboration with the Pakistan repatriated about 3.7 million Afghans to their native country. Currently 1.7 million refugees are registered with UNHCR in Pakistan. Of them, as many as 352.610 registered people are sheltered at camps and rural centers in Balochistan.