ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has called for provision of liquidity and necessary fiscal space through stimulus package and debt relief for the large refugee hosting countries. 

Addressing a video conference, he said the host countries should be supported in building the necessary infrastructure and services amidst the coronavirus challenge.

He said they should also be immediately provided with testing kits, personal protective equipment, sanitizers, masks and isolation facilities, ventilators and ambulances.

The Foreign Minister said hostilities must be ceased in the countries of origin of the refugees to stop further displacement. The work on creation of pull factors for return and reintegration of the refugees is also a must.

Shah Mahmood Qureshi said virus does not differentiate on the basis of nationality, place, religion, ethnicity or colour. He said it is time to exhibit the true meaning of leaving no one behind.

The Minister said substantial decrease in foreign remittances, which are an important source of economic growth in the developing countries, is expected.

He said people have lost their livelihoods and poverty is on the rise, while global economy is contracting, and a number of productive sectors are on the verge of bankruptcy in the wake of COVID-19.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan has been hosting millions of registered and unregistered Afghan refugees for last four decades.

He said Pakistan, despite of financial constraints, offered a number of facilities like health, education, social mobility and opening up of bank accounts for Afghan refugees.

Shah Mahmood said Pakistan has been financing needs of Afghan population in the country through its own resources without any discrimination.

He said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has only provided limited support to whom they consider a refugee, which excludes 1.6 million Afghan refugees.

The Minister said UNCHR has launched an appeal of 20.6 million dollars for Afghan refugees in Pakistan amidst COVID-19 which only deals with the needs of 1.4 million refugees registered with UNHCR and does not take into account 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. He said no state can handle the magnitude of this crisis alone and international cooperation is required more than ever before.

Shah Mahmood said it is imperative to revalidate the principles of sharing responsibilities and burden and support large refugee hosting countries during these difficult times. He said resources for protecting refugee situation must not diminish at this hour.