On Tuesday, 20 June 2023, Ambassador Azhar attended the World Refugee Day event held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Hina Rabbani Khar, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, alongside Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugee, Abbas Khan.
The World Refugee Day event, organized by the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the Government of Pakistan, aimed to honor the resilience and courage of individuals displaced globally due to conflict or persecution.
This year's theme, "Hope Away from Home," resonated throughout the event, where government officials, Heads of Diplomatic Mission, NGOs, UN Agencies, partners' staff, and numerous refugees gathered in Islamabad to commemorate the day.
According to the UNHCR's flagship annual report, the global number of individuals displaced by war, persecution, violence, and human rights abuses reached a record high of 108.4 million, marking a substantial increase of 19.1 million compared to the previous year.
During her address, Ms. Noriko Yoshida, the UNHCR's Representative in Pakistan, expressed deep admiration for the resilience displayed by refugees and acknowledged the generosity of host communities in providing them with shelter, protection, access to education, and healthcare.
