PM Imran Khan arrives in Geneva to co-convene Global Refugee Forum

Prime Minister Imran Khan arrived in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday to attend the first ever two-day Global Refugee Forum (GRF) co-hosted by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the U.N. Refugee Agency and the Swiss Government.
According to a press release issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, the premier is accompanied by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Overseas Pakistanis Zulfiqar Bukhari and Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood.
According to the press release, the premier will “articulate Pakistan’s perspective, experience and contribution to the Afghan refugees” at the forum.
“Co-convening of the GRF is recognition of Pakistan’s generosity, humanitarian leadership, and compassion of the people of Pakistan towards their Afghan brothers and sisters for the past forty years,” the press release added.
Pakistan’s permanent representative at U.N. office in Geneva Khalil Hashmi welcomed him on arrival at the Geneva Airport. U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, High level Swiss officials and Pakistani Ambassador in Switzerland were also present at the airport to receive the Prime Minister.
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan will participate in an international conference on refugees in Geneva, Switzerland, which will officially commence on Tuesday, a statement of Foreign Ministry of Pakistan stated.
The first-ever Global Refugee Forum has been convened in recognition of exemplary role for the protection and well-being of refugees by several countries including Pakistan, the ministry said in a statement.
PM Khan, along with leaders from other countries, has been invited to co-convene the forum and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will also address the forum, according to the statement.
The forum is expected to galvanise political support and solidarity and broaden the base of commitments from states, international organisations, private sectors and civil society to deal with the growing number of refugee situations across the world, the Foreign Ministry said.
“Co-convening of the GRF is recognition of Pakistan’s generosity, humanitarian leadership, and compassion of the people of Pakistan towards their Afghan brothers and sisters for the past 40 years,” the ministry said.
The prime minister, during his stay in Geneva, will also have bilateral interaction with his counterparts and with the UN leadership.
Pakistan still hosts nearly 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, according the UN Refugee Agency. Besides registered refugees, Pakistan also hosts about 1 million refugees who have not been registered.
Prior to his visit to Geneva, PM Imran visited Bahrain where he was awarded the country’s highest civil award by King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa.

About Author