Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has stated that the Afghan refugee crisis has been one of the key challenges for the government of Pakistan and the Foreign Office has been working on it effectively along with other stakeholders to reach a solution.

While addressing a video conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, the foreign minister said that due to Covid-19 Pakistan is facing a substantial decrease in foreign remittances that has impacted the economy. Moreover, people within the country have also lost their livelihood and unemployment along with poverty is one the rise.

The foreign minister further stated that Prime Minister Imran Khan announced a corona stimulus package of $8 billion for the people of Pakistan but no state can handle the crisis of this magnitude alone therefore increased international cooperation is required more than ever before.

The foreign minister added that Pakistan ranks second in accommodating refugees and Pakistan has been helping Afghan refugees with its limited resources without any discrimination and would always help the Afghan brethren in times of crisis.

The foreign minister further stated that UNHCR has set a package and budget for its refugee programs but seeing the ground realities and difficulties of the refugees, the package is not enough and more collaborative efforts are required.

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