Peshawar, The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Philippa Kondler, led a delegation to meet with Chief Secretary Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry to deliberate on the evacuation of illegally residing foreigners in the province.

According to Directorate General Information and PRs – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the meeting, which included Additional Chief Secretary Interior and Tribal Affairs Department Muhammad Abid Majeed and Commissioner Peshawar Division Muhammad Zubair, focused on enhancing support, coordination, and cooperation regarding the evacuation process.

Chief Secretary Chaudhry articulated KP’s clear and coherent policy for the evacuation of illegally staying foreigners and underscored the province’s commitment to simplifying this process in line with federal directives. He emphasized that transparency is paramount in these efforts and assured that the UN Refugee Agency would continue to receive all necessary support from the government.

The Chief Secretary also assured that humanitarian aid, including medical assistance and food, is being provided to the evacuees to ensure their welfare during the process. He remarked on the fraternal ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan, noting that the voluntary returnees are content with the government’s arrangements.

UNHCR Representative Kondler commended the KP government’s efforts to evacuate illegally residing foreigners and praised the steps taken to ensure the process is transparent, formalized, and well-documented.

The meeting reflects the ongoing collaboration between the KP government and the UNHCR to address the challenges associated with the presence of undocumented foreign nationals and to facilitate their orderly and humane return to their home countries.