UNHCR in Pakistan: An enduring partnership

UNHCR’s priority in Pakistan is to achieve lasting solutions for one of the largest and most protracted refugee situations in the world. Pakistan continues to host approximately 1.5 million refugees. Most are from Afghanistan and live in refugee villages and urban areas. Since March 2002, UNHCR has facilitated the return of approximately 3.9 million registered Afghans from Pakistan. Our history of working with the Government of Pakistan stretches back more than thirty years when the first wave of Afghan refugees entered the country following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Throughout that time, our key government partner has been the Ministry for States and Frontier Regions. In 2012, UNHCR will support the government in the implementation of its Afghan Management and Repatriation strategy and its focus on facilitating the voluntary return of the remaining Afghan refugees in Pakistan.