Pakistan has reiterated its continuing support for millions of Afghan migrants residing in Pakistan on the occasion of International Migrants Day on Friday (today).
In an official statement, Pakistan has reiterated its support and commitment to cater millions of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
Pakistan believes in the potential and promise of migration, as it unlocks a host of opportunities for the individuals and their families as well as the countries concerned, read the statement issued by Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
Pakistan continues to host millions of regular as well as irregular migrants from neighboring and regional countries. Pakistanis have always shown generosity and hospitality towards all migrants without any discrimination, the statement highlighted.
According to United Nations Human Rights Organization (UNHRC), Pakistan hosts more than 1.4 million Afghan refugees who have been residing in the country for more than 40 years.
Meanwhile, the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) by the United Nations two years ago marked the beginning of a new era of migration governance, dialogue and international cooperation.
Pakistan has also stressed destination states to ensure fair and ethical treatment including access to health care and social protection without discrimination.
Pakistan has called upon the international community to show greater solidarity by strengthening cooperation to enhance the protection, well-being, working conditions, and effective integration of migrants, in addition to ensuring that in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, no one is left behind.
International Migrants Day
On 18 December 1990, the General Assembly adopted a resolution on the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families.
Each year on Dec 18, the United Nations, through the UN-related agency International Organization for Migration (UN Migration), uses International Migrants Day to highlight the contributions made by the roughly 272 million migrants, including more than 41 million internally displaced persons, (IDPs) and the challenges they face.
This global event, supported by events organized by IOM’s nearly 500 country offices and sub-offices as well as governmental, international and domestic civil society partners examines a wide range of migration themes, Social Cohesion, Dignity, Exploitation, Solidarity to advocate for migration guided by the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society.
