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UN Chief to Attend Pakistan-Hosted Meeting on Afghan Refugees

Ayaz Gul

   ISLAMABAD - Pakistan says United Nations Secretary-General Antonio
   Guterres will visit Islamabad next week to attend an international
   conference marking 40 years of Afghan refugees' presence in the
   country.

   Guterres will deliver a keynote address at the two-day event starting
   February 17, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

   Pakistan officially hosts 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees,
   making it home to the one of the world's largest refugee populations.
   More than one million immigrants from Afghanistan are believed to live
   in the neighboring country without proper documentation.

   "The U.N. Secretary-General's participation in the international
   conference is a recognition of Pakistan's exemplary compassion,
   generosity and resolve in hosting Afghan refugees for the past four
   decades, and our efforts for peace and stability in Afghanistan," the
   announcement noted.

   Delegations from 20 countries will be participating in the conference,
   which Islamabad is hosting in collaboration with the U.N. High
   Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR.

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