Islamabad: Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Leslie Scanlon met with Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions Engr Amir Muqam on Thursday to discuss issues of mutual interest, including the management and repatriation of Afghan refugees. The meeting, held at the ministry, also included Secretary SAFRON Zafar Hasan and Joint Secretary Agha Waseem Ahmed.

According to Press Information Department, the discussions focused on several matters related to the plight of refugees, emphasizing Pakistan’s economic challenges due to hosting approximately 3 million Afghan refugees. Minister Amir Muqam expressed the country’s desire for the dignified repatriation of these individuals and highlighted the need for financial aid to support documented Afghan refugees within Pakistan.

The Canadian High Commissioner acknowledged Pakistan’s longstanding humanitarian efforts in supporting Afghan refugees for over forty years and discussed Canada’s interest in the resettlement processes. Both parties reiterated the value of their bilateral ties and the importance of continued collaboration on refugee issues.