ISLAMABAD: On World Refugee Day, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called on Pakistan to maintain its support for refugees and show compassion for asylum seekers.

The theme for this year’s observance, “Solidarity with Refugees,” emphasizes the need for compassion and support for those displaced by conflict, persecution, and violence.

Pakistan is currently home to over 2.35 million Afghan refugees, including those with Proof of Registration cards, showcasing its longstanding hospitality towards displaced populations.

Globally, displacement has reached alarming levels, with 123 million individuals uprooted due to conflict and persecution by the end of 2024. This includes 42.7 million refugees in need of international protection, highlighting a growing crisis amid stagnant humanitarian funding.

Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan, reflected on the courage of refugees and the challenges they face. She noted the increasing threat to asylum rights worldwide as tougher policies make it harder for those fleeing violence to find safety.

Candler commended Pakistan’s enduring generosity in hosting Afghan refugees and expressed UNHCR’s commitment to working with the government to find sustainable solutions, such as return, resettlement, and alternative legal pathways for those seeking asylum.

She urged Pakistan to continue its support for displaced people and called on the international community to demonstrate solidarity and provide necessary resources to address the refugee crisis.