Pakistan: the world’s largest refugee hosting country

By Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan

June 20 is marked as “World Refugee Day”. This year’s theme is: “Together, we heal, learn and shine, is very important as the number of refugees is multiplying”.

Geopolitics are moving toward more confrontations, natural disasters, and artificially man-made situations forcing people to leave their homes and live either in refugee camps in their own countries or immigrate to other countries to live miserable lives.

First celebrated on June 20, 2001, to observe the 50th birthday of the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, World Refugee Day is a critical moment in time to talk with the world about who refugees are and why they need protection.

World Refugee Day is an event to build empathy and understanding for their plight and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives. World Refugee Day shines a light on refugees’ rights, needs, and dreams, helping to mobilize political will and resources so refugees can survive and thrive. While it is crucial to protect and improve refugees’ lives every day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus universal attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution. Many activities held on World Refugee Day create opportunities to support refugees.

“World Refugee Day is an expression of solidarity with people who have been uprooted from their homes by war or persecution . . . This not about sharing a burden. It is about sharing a global responsibility, based not only on the broad idea of our common humanity but also on the particular obligations of international law.” –António Guterres, UN Secretary-General.

82.4 million Individuals have been forcibly displaced globally due to persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations. We are now observing the highest levels of displacement on record. It includes: 26.4 million refugees in the world—the highest ever seen; 48.0 million internally displaced people; and 4.1 million asylum-seekers, also 3.9 million Venezuelans displaced abroad.

The most vulnerable regions and countries are Sub-Saharan Africa, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, Venezuela, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Yemen, Ukraine, and Myanmar.

Although refugees belong to various religions, cultures, ethnicities, and races, but estimated at 50 percent of refugees and internally-displaced persons (IDPs) were based in Muslim countries. With the escalation of the crisis in Syria and Afghanistan, the current proportion is likely to be increased further. Islamic Relief works with refugees in four countries and IDPs in ten countries, with program focuses including health and nutrition, education, shelter, and psychosocial support. The Quran also calls on Muslims to “give what is due to… the wayfarer” (Q30:38; Q17:26). Through zakat, Muslims give a percentage of their annual savings as alms to help vulnerable people, including “travelers in need” (Q9:60).

Many countries are sharing burdens of Refugees; of course, Europe is at number one accommodating refugees. However, Turkey and Pakistan are also two Muslim countries, sharing a heavy burden of refugees. Pakistan used to host up to five million Afghan refugees at peak time. Still, there are three million registered Afghan refugees, but unofficial figures are much higher as many Afghan refugees do not get registered and staying in Pakistan without any legal status. In addition to Afghan Refugees, there are rogues from Iran, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, etc.

Pakistan is still a developing country and passing through the worst economic crisis, yet, our traditions, culture, religion, and the legal system allows refugees to enter Pakistan and seen refuge. Pakistan is an open society and can accommodate any nationality, culture, and race, etc., with no discrimination toward any individuals.

For over four decades, Pakistan has led by example in refugee protection. Pakistan has been one of the world’s largest refugee-hosting countries. Pakistan still hosts around 3 million Afghans providing them necessary protection. The people of Pakistan have demonstrated exemplary values of generosity, solidarity, and compassion towards the refugees in the country, showcased in Pakistan’s inclusive policies on public health, education, and livelihoods, including during the ongoing COVID-19 response. The people of Pakistan have contributed more than their fair share of shouldering an international responsibility by hosting millions of refugees. Pakistan has also been playing a pivotal role in facilitating sustainable peace in Afghanistan.

On this Day, Pakistan pays special tribute to the UNHCR for its commendable work concerning advocacy, leadership, and support to the refugees and host communities throughout the world, especially amidst the ongoing pandemic.

Pakistan also reiterates its call for greater global responsibility-sharing, redoubling of efforts for durable solutions, and an early peaceful political settlement in Afghanistan that paves the way for dignified, time-bound, and well-resourced repatriation of Afghan refugees supported by the international community.

Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan – Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.

(This is an opinion article. The views expressed belong  only to the author and the publication of the article  does not necessarily imply  the endorsement of its content by  World Geostrategic Insights). 

Image Credit: INP

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