Islamabad:
The chief commissioner of Afghan refugees informed the Permanent Committee on the border states and regions (Safron) of the Senate that approximately 2.9 million Afghan citizens currently resided in Pakistan, of which 1.4 million were registered, while 0.7 million were not registered.
The Chief Commissioner presented the empirical data on Afghan refugees during the Sofron Committee meeting on Friday, chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi at the Parliament’s house.
The commissioner offered comprehensive information on the current humanitarian assistance provided to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, which covers areas such as refuge, food, water, sanitation, education and medical care.
Committee members were more informed about the Hosting and Refugee Hosting Areas program (RAH). They were informed that under Raha development projects were arrested in 2024 due to the lack of funds.
Senators Saadia Abbasi and Syed Masroor Ahsan emphasized the mobilization of international support in the financing of projects for Afghan refugees and the proper use of the funds.
The Committee directed a detailed report on the RAST project.
