UN hails Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees

NEW YORK (Staff Report) - The United Nations has appreciated Pakistan for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over three decades, despite limited resources.

Ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi organised an event at UN headquarters on the global plight of refugees and forced displacement.

Speaking at the occasion, the ambassador said that Pakistan remains the world’s second largest refugee-hosting country. "I would add, that in terms of the protracted presence of refugees, it is still the world’s top refugee-hosting country".

According to 2015 United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, "Pakistan hosts almost 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees - still the largest protracted refugee population globally."

The event attracted a large number of people, aimed to highlight global issue of refugees and migrants and the urgency to respond to this unprecedented humanitarian crisis .

President-elect General Assembly  Mogens Lykketoft, and Under Secretary General Christina Gallach were also present at the event.