Islamabad: Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to supporting humanitarian initiatives in Afghanistan, emphasizing its longstanding role in assisting Afghan refugees and advocating for peace in the region. The announcement comes amid international calls for increased attention to the humanitarian challenges faced by the Afghan population.

According to a statement by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed gratitude to Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, for highlighting Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis. The Foreign Office underscored the importance of sustained international engagement in Afghanistan to prevent further deterioration of living conditions.

The statement noted that Pakistan has hosted over four million Afghan refugees for four decades, reflecting its ongoing support for Afghan people. It also addressed the recent repatriation of individuals lacking legal documentation, describing them as residing illegally.

The Foreign Office emphasized the slow progress in resettling thousands of Afghan nationals in western countries, despite promises made to them. This situation, it argued, underscores the need for a more robust international response.

Additionally, the statement drew attention to the underfunding of United Nations humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, revealing that only 37.5 percent of the necessary funds were secured last year. The Foreign Office called for enhanced global efforts to address the funding shortfall and improve conditions in Afghanistan.