Tag: Pakistan
Desperate Afghan returnees from Pakistan face uncertain future: IOM
According to IOM, in the past two months alone, nearly 375,000 Afghans left Pakistan, primarily utilizing the Torkham and Spin Boldak border crossings, near Kabul and Kandahar, respectively. The number of daily border crossings has skyrocketed from 200 to a staggering 17,000, creating an unprecedented strain on resources and infrastructure. Desperate situation “Their situation is…
Read MoreWorld News in Brief: Dozens dead in Yemen shipwreck, Pakistan expulsions ‘must stop’, FAO aids Sudan farmers
More than 64 people are missing and feared dead after the vessel they were travelling in capsized on Sunday. Approximately 90 migrants, including 60 women, were on board the vessel, which was heading to Yemen from the coast of Djibouti. Twenty-six survivors were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard. Global cooperation needed IOM is collaborating…
Read MoreWorld News in Brief: Protection call for refugees in Pakistan, ‘One Health’ plan launched, radio waves saving lives
According to news reports, Pakistani security forces began detaining and deporting dozens of Afghans under the new policy this week after a Government deadline for them to leave ran out. The majority of undocumented refugees who have settled in Pakistan over decades are from neighbouring Afghanistan, and following the Taliban takeover, thousands more fled seeking…
Read MorePakistan urged to halt Afghan deportations to avoid ‘human rights catastrophe’
OHCHR is urging the authorities to halt deportations, which are set to begin on 1 November, Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani told journalists in Geneva. Currently, more than two million undocumented Afghans are living in Pakistan, at least 600,000 of whom arrived after the Taliban returned to power in August 2021. ‘Grave risk’ of violations “We believe…
Read MoreUN agencies call on Pakistan to protect Afghan refugees
Amid a “severe humanitarian crisis”, Afghanistan currently faces several human rights challenges, particularly for women and girls, according to the UN. Pakistan’s new plans would have “serious implications” for all who have been forced to leave the country and may face serious protection risks upon their return, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, and the International…
Read MoreUN condemns ‘abhorrent’ terrorist attacks in Pakistan
A further 70 people were injured in Friday’s attacks at the Hangu mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and at a religious procession in Mastung, Balochistan. “It is particularly abhorrent that the attacks occurred at a place of worship and during the celebration of Prophet Muhammad’s birthday,” Mr. Guterres said in a statement. He reiterated UN’s solidarity…
Read MorePakistan floods a ‘litmus test’ for climate justice says Guterres
They also underscored the need to slash carbon emissions and bolster early warning systems to safeguard nations across the world which are becoming increasingly vulnerable to extreme weather. Speaking at the UN Headquarters, in New York, Secretary-General António Guterres said how the world responds now to Pakistan’s struggles is a “litmus test” for climate justice.…
Read More‘The world cannot afford Cold War 2.0,’ Pakistan leader tells UN Assembly
Addressing the Assembly’s annual general debate, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, said, “the world cannot afford Cold War 2.0,” because there are a raft of challenges facing humankind that can only be addressed through global cooperation. Multiple shocks Indeed, a series of external “shocks” – COVID-19, climate change and conflict – have devastated developing economies, reversed decades of…
Read MorePakistan: Flood waters have gone but horror continues for children, UNICEF warns
Speaking one year on from the unprecedented disaster, Abdullah Fadil, UNICEF Representative in Pakistan, noted new challenges for about four million children living without safe water in flood-affected areas. “Vulnerable children living in flood-affected areas have endured a horrific year. They lost their loved ones, homes and schools. As the monsoon rains return, the fear…
Read MoreGuterres strongly condemns suicide bombing in Pakistan
At least 54 people were killed, and 83 injured, in the attack, which occurred in Bajaur district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. International media reported on Monday that the Islamic State has claimed responsibility. Speaking that day in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said the Secretary-General extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of…
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