Being refugee not a crime, says CM
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has asserted that being a refugee is not a crime.
"It is a cruel compulsion. No one becomes a refugee of one's own desire. One has to leave one's home, one's soil to save one's life," she stated in her message on World Refugee Day.
She highlighted, "Wars come to an end, but the feeling of homelessness of refugees remains for generations. The helplessness of displaced refugees of Palestine and Syria amounts to a severe test for the humanity. The world must realise the grave reality that those who seek asylum are not weak, but oppressed."
She outlined, "Despite scarce resources, Pakistan has generously hosted millions of refugees by upholding their dignity and esteem. Pakistan has always become a vociferous voice of the oppressed and will continue to raise its voice for the welfare of refugees across the globe. I pray that may peace prevail, oppression be eliminated and every human being feels solace and peace across the globe."
In another statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the death of three tourists from Lahore due to collapse of a glacier near Mansehra.
The chief minister also expressed sorrow over the demise of senior actress Ayesha Khan.
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Express Tribune
5 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Being refugee not a crime, says CM
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has asserted that being a refugee is not a crime. "It is a cruel compulsion. No one becomes a refugee of one's own desire. One has to leave one's home, one's soil to save one's life," she stated in her message on World Refugee Day. She highlighted, "Wars come to an end, but the feeling of homelessness of refugees remains for generations. The helplessness of displaced refugees of Palestine and Syria amounts to a severe test for the humanity. The world must realise the grave reality that those who seek asylum are not weak, but oppressed." She outlined, "Despite scarce resources, Pakistan has generously hosted millions of refugees by upholding their dignity and esteem. Pakistan has always become a vociferous voice of the oppressed and will continue to raise its voice for the welfare of refugees across the globe. I pray that may peace prevail, oppression be eliminated and every human being feels solace and peace across the globe." In another statement, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grief over the death of three tourists from Lahore due to collapse of a glacier near Mansehra. The chief minister also expressed sorrow over the demise of senior actress Ayesha Khan.
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
World Refugee Day: 123m people worldwide forcibly displaced
ISLAMABAD: As of the end of 2024, some 123 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced due to conflict, persecution, and violence. This includes 42.7 million refugees and others in need of international protection. This means one in every 67 people on the planet is displaced, said UN Refugee Agency-UNHCR on the occasion of World Refugee Day on Friday. UNHCR Pakistan stands in solidarity with millions of people around the world who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, and violence. This year's theme, 'Solidarity with Refugees,' is a call to action to ensure compassion, support, and inclusion for displaced populations, said the UNHCR Spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi in a statement. Pakistan continues to demonstrate remarkable generosity and hospitality, currently hosting over 2.35 million Afghan refugees including Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders and others in need of protection, he added. While displacement globally continues to rise due to ongoing conflicts across the world, humanitarian funding is stagnating and, in some cases, declining. Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan said, 'As we mark World Refugee Day, a moment to honour the courage and strength of refugees across the globe, we also reflect on their stories of loss and pain. Sadly, in many parts of the world, the right to asylum is under threat. Tougher and more restrictive policies are making it harder for people fleeing war, violence and persecution to find safety. In difficult moments like these, we need more than ever to stand in solidarity with refugees.' Candler appreciated and acknowledged the people of Pakistan and its government for generously hosting Afghan refugees for decades. She said that UNHCR remains committed to working with the Government of Pakistan to find long-term solutions - through return, resettlement, and alternative legal pathways, and to protect those who continue to need asylum. The UNHCR Representative said that Pakistan is contributing to the global refugee cause at a time when we are witnessing shrinking asylum space worldwide. 'We urge Pakistan to continue its support for displaced people, and call on the international community to match this commitment with solidarity and resources,' she said. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Business Recorder
100,000 sanitary workers to get reward money
LAHORE: Reward money announced by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz will be distributed among more than 100,000 workers of the Suthra Punjab Programme on June 21 (today) for their performance during the grand operation on Eid-ul-Azha. In this regard, a ceremony will be held at the tehsil level across Punjab in which the workers will be invited. This decision was taken during a meeting that was chaired by Punjab Local Government Minister Zeeshan Rafiq on Friday. Punjab Local Government Secretary Shakeel Ahmed Mian, Special Secretary Asia Gul, Additional Secretary Ahmer Kaifi, Deputy Commissioners and chief officers of municipal bodies were also present. The Minister said that instead of calling all the workers on the same day, if necessary, the reward money can be distributed among the remaining people on the next day. He said the Chief Minister had announced the reward of Rs 10,000 each for over 100,000 workers who worked hard and with commitment during the hot weather on the Eid days. 'The workers worked hard during the scorching sun, and thus we saw exemplary cleanliness on Eid-ul-Azha. Hence, the Punjab government announced the reward to recognise the hard work put in by the workers,' he added. He directed the officials concerned to invite elected representatives to the ceremonies, observing that public representatives also played a full role in the awareness campaign during the grand operation. On this occasion, the Secretary said that bank drafts will be transparently given to the workers, adding that no worker of the Clean Punjab Programme should be deprived of the prize money. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
