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Amir Muqam addresses 76th Session of Executive Committee of UNHCR Geneva

Islamabad: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan & SAFRON Engr. Amir Muqam addressed 76th Session of the Executive Committee of the UNHCR Geneva, on Monday.

The Minister said that Pakistan is pleased to participate in this session of the Executive Committee, received a press release from Geneva.

He said that Pakistan appreciates UNHCR for its commendable work in responding to force displacement across the globe and in refugees’ management in accordance with its mandate.

“My delegation also congratulates High Commissioner, Mr. Filippo Grandi, for the remarkable services he has rendered during his tenure”, he added.

He said that displacement continues to be a serious global challenge, adding that more than 132 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, including due to conflicts, persecution, violence, and climate-induced disasters. Clearly, most of these humanitarian crises are man-made.

He said that on the other hand, resources needed to respond to the growing needs of forcibly displaced worldwide are shrinking rapidly.

Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam said that the international community must support UNHCR in creating conditions that make return home both desirable and sustainable. “When returnees are welcomed back with meaningful support, they can contribute to the recovery and progress of their societies” he added.

Engr Amir Muqam said that provision of adequate, predictable, and flexible resources to UNHCR remains critical.

He said that for over four decades, Pakistan has generously hosted more than four million Afghan nationals, managing one of the world’s largest and most protracted refugee situations. Despite our domestic problems—including economic pressures, security challenges, and overstretched public services—we have upheld humanitarian principles by providing safety, access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods to the extent possible, he added.

He said that Pakistan remains one of the most climate-vulnerable country. Pakistan has endured repeated climate induced calamities, with this year’s devastating floods displacing millions, destroying infrastructure, and causing huge economic losses, adding that these events have had far-reaching humanitarian, economic, and social impacts.

He said that “Pakistan reiterates its call for urgent start of the UNHCR’s Climate Resilient Fund and other financing mechanisms to support countries most affected by climate change”,.
Engr Amir Muqam said that Pakistan continues to combat terrorism, which has severely impacted our people and economy over the years, adding that over 90,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives, and the nation has endured staggering economic losses exceeding 150 billion dollars in this struggle.

Federal Minister Engr Amir Muqam said that it is now our shared responsibility to facilitate safe and dignified returns of displaced Afghans to their country. However, durable returns require investments, in countries of refugee origin for—peace, stability, schools, clinics, and livelihoods—to make return viable.

Repeated calls for such support, alongside predictable multi-year funding for host countries like Pakistan, have yet to be fully realized, amid donor fatigue and delayed disbursements.
He said that in the context of UN-80 and “humanitarian reset,” these initiatives must help the UN respond to humanitarian crises more effectively. He said that Pakistan reiterates its commitment to partnering with the international community to find durable solutions to humanitarian situations.

Looking ahead, we urge three imperatives: first, urgent investment in the countries of refugee origin for stability and reintegration; second, timely and predictable international support to offset the burdens on host communities; and third, fast track resettlement in third countries, he concluded.

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Pakistani Students’ UK Visa Delays Raised by Azam Nazeer Tarar with British High Commissioner

Azam Nazeer Tarar with UK High Commissioner

ISLAMABAD: British High Commissioner Jane Marriott called on Federal Minister for Law & Justice Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar. The meeting discussed Pakistan-UK bilateral relations, matters of mutual interest and ways to further strengthen cooperation between the two countries.

During the meeting, the Federal Minister raised the issue of delays in UK visas for Pakistani students and conveyed the Government of Pakistan’s concern to the British High Commissioner.

Senator Azam Nazeer Tarar said that hundreds of Pakistani students were facing difficulties due to delays in visa processing, with a risk that the delays could result in the loss of their academic year. He stressed the need to remove obstacles faced by Pakistani students seeking education abroad and facilitate them in this regard.

The Federal Minister briefed the British High Commissioner that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, a committee under his chairmanship was working to improve the legal and institutional framework concerning Pakistani students studying abroad.

He further informed the High Commissioner that, on the Prime Minister’s directives, the committee had finalized its recommendations on the matter, and work was underway to further improve the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students pursuing education abroad.

The Federal Minister said that the legal and institutional framework for Pakistani students seeking education abroad was being improved to develop an effective mechanism for addressing the issues faced by students.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott assured the Federal Minister that the issue of delays in visas for Pakistani students would be addressed.

The meeting also discussed further strengthening educational linkages between Pakistan and the United Kingdom, as well as enhancing institutional cooperation and engagement between the two countries.

Minister of State for Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Aqeel Malik was also present during the meeting.

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Naqvi Sets September 30 Deadline for Completion of Islamabad Safe City Expansion

ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, visited the Islamabad Safe City Headquarters on Friday and chaired a special meeting to review progress on the Safe City Expansion Project, directing officials to complete the ambitious initiative by September 30.

During the briefing, officials informed the minister that overall work on the expansion project has reached 85 percent completion. Installation of the new surveillance network is also 85 percent complete, while 415 kilometres of optical fibre have been laid to support the upgraded system. Work on the data centre, cyber architecture, and cybersecurity infrastructure has also reached approximately 80 percent completion.

Expressing satisfaction over the pace of work, Naqvi stressed that the remaining tasks must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He said the government’s vision is to transform the Islamabad Safe City into a modern, smart, and world-class institution comparable to those in developed countries.

The interior minister said the technologically advanced Safe City system would significantly strengthen public safety through enhanced surveillance, effective monitoring, and rapid emergency response capabilities.

He noted that the project would play a vital role in improving law enforcement efficiency and ensuring better security for residents of the federal capital.

Naqvi also assigned officials the task of completing the state-of-the-art Fusion Centre within the next three months, describing it as a critical component of the upgraded Safe City network.

He further directed the relevant authorities to finalise the Safe City Bill at the earliest and present it before the National Assembly without delay to provide the legal framework necessary for the project’s long-term operation and expansion.

The meeting was attended by the Federal Secretary for Interior, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), senior Safe City officials, and other relevant officers, who briefed the minister on the progress and future roadmap of the expansion project.

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PM Shehbaz, high-level delegation perform Umrah; pray for country’s progress

MAKKAH AL-MUKARRAMAH: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, along with his high-level delegation, performed Umrah here on Friday.

He was accompanied by his delegation including Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers Khawaja Muhammad Asif and Attaullah Tarar, and Special Assistant to PM Tariq Fatemi.

The door of Khana Kaaba was opened specially for the prime minister and his delegation.

Following the completion of the Umrah rituals, the prime minister, field marshal, and other members of the Pakistani delegation offered special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country, the safety and unity of the Muslim Ummah, and for regional and global peace.

The prime minister arrived in Jeddah on Thursday evening for a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Besides meeting with his Saudi counterpart, he will also pay a visit to the Roze-e-Rasool (PBUH) in Madinah.