Matrix Report
During his historic four-day visit to Pakistan, the UN General Secretary, Antonio Guterres went an extra mile to appreciate Pakistan’s role in hosting millions of Afghan Refugees since the early 1980s as well as the country’s astounding recovery from the counter-terror war.
Addressing various functions in Islamabad, the capital on February 17th the UN General Secretary offered these thoughts on Pakistan:
# The story of Pakistan and Afghan refugees is a story of compassion to be celebrated for many reasons, one of which is that such compassion is missing from much of the world. For 40 years, the people of Afghanistan have faced many crises, for 40 years the people of Pakistan have responded with solidarity. This generosity now spans across decades and generations and this is the world’s largest protracted refugee situation in recorded history.”
# The generous spirit is fully in-line with what I regard as the best description for refugee protection is found in Surah Al-Tawbah of the Holy Quran and I quote: “And if anyone seeks your protection then grant him protection so therein he can hear the words of God. Then escort him where he can be secure.”
# For more than three out of every four years since 1979, either Pakistan or Iran have been ranked world’s top refugee-hosting countries…… Pakistan today is the world’s second largest refugee-hosting country”.
# Some of these policies have inspired elements of the global compact on refugees. We have been proud to work with you to support Pakistan host communities of Afghan refugees. However, we must recognise that international support for Pakistan has been minimal compared to your own national efforts. The Afghan conflict drags on and on and we see deep impact of the protracted nature of conflict, poverty and forced displacement.
# Proud to be called as a partner of those working for Peace Missions, acknowledging that Pakistan is doing great work for these UN Peace missions. 150,000 Pakistanis were represented in these peace missions, adding that 157 of them lost their lives for global peace. He also highly praised the women’s participation in the peace missions for the first time”.
