Filippo Grandi Calls for Enhanced Long-Term Solutions for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan

Grandi visited Peshawar and Haripur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where he met with Afghan refugees in both urban settings and a refugee village.

Wrapping up a three-day visit, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi, has called for bolstering efforts towards longer-term solutions for Afghans in Pakistan and support for their host communities.

Grandi visited Peshawar and Haripur in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, where he met with Afghan refugees in both urban settings and a refugee village. The people he met shared their anxiety about their situation but also expressed a strong desire to contribute to their communities in Pakistan and eventually in Afghanistan.

In Islamabad, Grandi met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for States and Frontier Regions Amir Muqam, and senior officials from the Ministries of Interior and Foreign Affairs. During his discussions, the High Commissioner emphasized the importance of extending the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, a critical identity document held by over 1.3 million Afghan refugees. He also expressed appreciation that the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan” had been suspended and sought assurances that it would remain on hold. Grandi urged Pakistan to continue its proud tradition of hospitality towards Afghans with international protection needs.

Recognizing the challenges faced by Pakistan and the country’s admirable generosity over 45 years of hosting Afghan refugees, Grandi called for an urgent reset of the aid model towards solutions and responsibility sharing. This includes fostering new partnerships and developing innovative approaches to address the protracted displacement situation.

“We need to seize this opportunity to accelerate solutions and have a bigger, broader vision for the Afghan people in Pakistan,” he noted.

The High Commissioner offered to work towards a dialogue later this year, which will bring together key stakeholders, including government representatives, development actors, and the private sector, to develop a package of solutions benefiting both the Afghan population living in Pakistan and the host country itself.

Grandi also committed to redoubling efforts aimed at creating conditions conducive to returns to Afghanistan, including material conditions, access to services, job opportunities, and rights—paving the way for sustainable voluntary returns in the future.

In the meantime, as Pakistan continues to host some 3 million Afghans, all solutions need to be explored in addition to voluntary repatriation, including third-country resettlement and longer-term solutions within Pakistan.