ICRMS and UNHCR Commemorating World Refugee Day and Gala
On June 27, 2024, ICRMS and UNHCR commemorated World Refugee Day with a gala event at Sir Syed Ahmed Block A, Orange Hall, BUITEMS Takatu Campus, Quetta. The event was attended by the Governor of Balochistan, Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokheil, along with several other dignitaries including Mr. Ramzan, Protocol Officer to the Governor; Col. Tanveer Hussain, Military Secretary; Hashim Ghilzai, Principal Secretary; Mr. Hafiz Abdul Basit, Additional Chief Secretary of Planning and Development; Arbab Talib ul Maula, Commissioner for Afghan Refugees (CAR); Mir Ahmed Reki, Director of CAR; Jamil Kakar, Director of CAR; Mr. Muhammad Hamza Shafqat, Commissioner of Quetta Division; Mr. Saleh Baloch, Secretary of Health; Mr. Saleh Mohammad Nasir, Secretary of Secondary Education; Mr. Sikandar Shah, Secretary of Social Welfare; Dr. Khalid Hafeez, Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS; and Dr. Raheela Umer, Director of ICRMS. Representatives from UNHCR and its partner organizations such as IDO, CAR, PPHI, DANESH, SOCIETY (SCSPEB), SEHER, Taraqee Foundation, WESS, TKF, ICRMS, and Afghan refugees from across Balochistan also attended the event.
Head of UNHCR’s Remarks
The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the National Anthem of Pakistan. This was followed by opening remarks from Mr. Tesfaye Bakeley, Head of the UNHCR sub-office in Quetta. Speeches were then delivered by one male and one female representative from the refugee community, followed by addresses from the honorable Governor of Balochistan and the Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, who expressed and extended the strong ties of Muslim brotherhood towards Afghan refugees on behalf of the government. A comprehensive video presentation showcasing UNHCR’s global and regional operations, as well as their efforts and dedication in Pakistan, was played for the audience.
Speeches by the Refugee Community
Speeches were then delivered by one male and one female representative from the refugee community, showcasing their ancestry and their struggles as displaced persons in Pakistan. Speaking from their personal experiences, these refugees emphasized how they have become resilient. They thanked the government of Pakistan for hosting them and providing access to residential, educational, and livelihood opportunities
Remarks of the Sheikh Jaffar Khan Mandokheil, Governor Balochistan
The honorable Governor of Balochistan expressed and extended the strong ties of Muslim brotherhood towards Afghan refugees on behalf of the government. He affirmed that Pakistan will continue supporting and hosting Afghan brothers and sisters until peace prevails in their homeland and all refugees can voluntarily repatriate back to Afghanistan. The same remarks were extended by the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees, Arbab Talib ul Moula, who emphasized the importance of providing education, healthcare, and employment opportunities to ensure their well-being. The governor also highlighted the need for international cooperation to address the challenges faced by Afghan refugees and to support Pakistan’s efforts in this humanitarian endeavor.
A comprehensive video presentation showcasing UNHCR’s global and regional operations, as well as their efforts and dedication in Pakistan, was played for the audience. and the event concluded with the distribution of shields to the secretaries, the Governor of Balochistan, the Vice-Chancellor of BUITEMS, and other notable attendees:
Public Lecture on “Media Representation of Refugees: Shaping Public Perception.”
Dr. Yousaf Ali delivered a public lecture on “Media Representation of Refugees: Shaping Public Perception.” Dr. Ali discussed how public perceptions are shaped by the media and emphasized that the representation of refugees often does not reflect their reality in Pakistan. As a journalist, he shared insights on how writers, journalists, and responsible members of society can highlight the critical issues faced by Afghan, Bengali, and Rohingya refugees living in Pakistan. He underscored the vital role of local journalists and both local and international news channels in bringing attention to the global pressing issues of forced displacement and migration.
Cultural Embroidery and Food Stalls
The food and Afghan cultural embroidery stalls were set up at BUITEMS on June 27 and 28 to commemorate World Refugee Day (WRD). The Governor of Balochistan inaugurated the cultural embroidery stalls displayed at the green carpet SSA Block, BUITEMS.
Public Lecture on “Climate Change and Vulnerability: A Durable Burden for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan”
As an extension of the previous events on June 27, ICRMS organized another public lecture on “Climate Change and Vulnerability: A Double Burden for Afghan Refugees in Pakistan” on June 28, 2024. The lecture was delivered by Muhammad Yahya Musakhel, who has 20 years of experience in community development, natural resource management, and disaster recovery. Dr. Yahya delivered a comprehensive lecture on climate-induced displacement and the vulnerabilities of refugees across the world and in Pakistan. He emphasized the often-overlooked climate-induced challenges faced by those already displaced and living in host countries in protracted refugee situations. Dr. Yahya highlighted the dire and complex intersectional challenges faced by refugees of various genders and the severe human conditions globally.
Workshop on “Building Bridges: The Power of Networking, Community Engagement, and Volunteering”
Mr. Muaz Shah conducted a comprehensive workshop on the topic “Building Bridges: The Power of Networking, Community Engagement, and Volunteering.” Mr. Shah discussed the art of networking in the context of Afghan and other refugees living in Pakistan. He emphasized the importance of academic, professional, and personal networking, highlighting how it is essential for individuals to be recognized and for their work to gain visibility. Mr. Shah provided a detailed talk on various platforms for networking, such as universities, conferences, seminars, and sessions. To make the workshop more interactive, he and the students established some networking rules together. He advised students that networking can bring success not only in their professional, personal, and academic lives but also help others navigate the challenges of precarious, protracted refugee situations. The workshop was particularly important for refugees, especially in the digital era, where connections can bring significant changes to every aspect of their lives.
Afghani Cultural Dance and Cultural Fashion Show by Firdowsi High School
The students of Firdowsi High School performed the Afghani Hazargi cultural dance on stage in commemoration of World Refugee Day. The refugee girls from Firdowsi High School performed the Hazargi cultural dance and participated in a cultural walk on stage.
