ISLAMABAD: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, announced on Wednesday that Pakistani actress Mahira Khan has been appointed a UNHCR national goodwill ambassador.

Ms Khan had been supporting UNHCR activities for a few years and spoke about Afghan refugees in Pakistan prior to this appointment.

At the appointment ceremony in Islamabad on Wednesday, Ms Khan said: “I feel privileged to have been chosen to serve this noble cause.”

UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations George Okoth-Obbo, Minister of State for States and Frontier Regions Shehryar Khan Afridi, UNHCR Director of the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific Indrika Ratwatte, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan Ruvendrini Menikdiwela and other guests attended the ceremony.

Ms Khan said at the event that Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for four decades.

“I feel proud that my country is one of the most generous countries of the world,” she said. “By becoming UNHCR national goodwill ambassador, I wish to stand behind such incredible acts of hospitality and humanity.”

She said the majority of refugees are being hosted by developing countries and a sense of shared responsibility has yet to be achieved. “More needs to be done to support countries and communities which host refugees,” she said.

Mr Okoth-Obbo praised Ms Khan for supporting the agency’s activities and for continuing to demonstrate her personal commitment to refugees.

“I am delighted to see renowned Pakistani opinion movers coming forward in support of the refugee cause, making their voices heard locally, nationally and globally, and having a very strong influence on youth,” he said.

He noted that high-profile supporters such as Ms Khan could serve as a symbol of partnership between the people of Pakistan and the international community. He said the UNHCR looks forward to working with her to help reinvigorate support for refugees.

At the ceremony, an Afghan refugee presented Ms Khan with a shawl. The shawl was handmade by women in Pakistan, including refugees, and was a gift from designer Rizwan Beyg who is also a high-profile supporter of the UNHCR in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, November 7th, 2019