KARACHI, June 20: The World Refugee Day was celebrated on Tuesday at the Songal Voluntary Repatriation Centre in Gadap Town. A programme in this regard was arranged by the UNHCR - Karachi.
Speaking then, Tahira Gul Afshan, Head of the UNHCR – Karachi, said the Commission was working in 55 countries for a durable solution of refugees.
She thanked the government of Pakistan for its support in running smooth and voluntary repatriation of refugees.
Agha Jan Akhter, Project Director of the Afghan Refugees Repatriation Cell, government of Pakistan, said that Pakistan had the largest number of refugees in the world - living here since last 25 years.
Nowhere in the world, he said, had refugees spent so long a time with full freedom.
He assured that despite having limited resources, the refugees would be helped in their repatriation.
Haji Abdullah Bukhari, Chairman, Afghan Settlements, Sindh, said that as a refugee, he was grateful to the Pakistani government for providing them with shelter and extending the three-year duration for registration.
He emphasised upon the UN agencies for giving education in Afghan settlements, saying that otherwise illiteracy would again lead the new generation towards more wars, and so their children would not have a bright future.
Other Afghan elders including Qari Nisar, Moallim Taus and Arabab Khizar also paid thanks to the Pakistani government for full freedom given to them compared with other refugee-host countries.
On the occasion, the national anthem was sung and a cultural tableau of Afghanistan was presented by the students of the Rabia Balkhi School.
Nabi Sagar, an Afghan singer and his musical band - Sapeedeha Musical Group - also presented Afghani songs.About 32 Afghan refugee families comprising 163 individuals were repatriated to their homeland on the occasion.—APP
