Canadian High Commissioner to Pakistan Leslie Scanlon met with Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Engr Amir Muqam on Thursday to discuss bilateral relations and refugee-related issues. The meeting, held at the ministry, was also attended by SAFRON Secretary Zafar Hasan and Joint Secretary Agha Waseem Ahmed.
During the meeting, they addressed matters concerning the management, repatriation, and challenges associated with Afghan refugees. Minister Muqam highlighted the strain on Pakistan’s economy due to hosting over 3 million Afghan refugees and emphasized the need for their dignified repatriation. He also stressed the importance of international financial assistance to support documented Afghan refugees in Pakistan.
High Commissioner Scanlon acknowledged Pakistan’s significant humanitarian efforts in supporting Afghan refugees for more than four decades and expressed Canada’s interest in resettlement efforts.