ISLAMABAD, 12 JUN (DNA) —    Ahead of World Refugee Day, observed globally under the theme “Until Everyone is Safe,” UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) reaffirmed their commitment to advancing opportunities through partnership, education, and academic cooperation.  

An event held at Quaid-i-Azam University brought together students, academics, and partners to reflect on the importance of safeguarding the right to seek safety and on the collective responsibility to support people forced to flee conflict, persecution, and violence. 

Marking the occasion, UNHCR and Quaid-i-Azam University signed a Cooperation Framework Agreement (CFA) to strengthen collaboration in support of education, research, and knowledge-sharing initiatives on refugee protection, statelessness, migration, and forced displacement. 

The agreement will support academic research, curriculum development, capacity-building initiatives, and the work of the Pakistan Academic Consortium on Refugee Law and Migration (PACRAM), helping to promote dialogue and evidence-based approaches to displacement in Pakistan. 

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Oscar Sanchez, Deputy Representative of UNHCR in Pakistan, said the theme “Until Everyone is Safe” reminds us that protection begins with the right of every person to seek safety and live with dignity. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s long-standing support for Afghan refugees over more than 45 years. 

“Through our partnership with Quaid-i-Azam University, we are investing in knowledge, research, and future generations who can contribute to stronger protection frameworks and sustainable solutions for refugees and other vulnerable people,” he added. 

Prof. Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, Vice Chancellor of Quaid-i-Azam University, stated that universities play a vital role in advancing understanding and developing solutions to global challenges. He said that this partnership with UNHCR reflects the spirit of ‘Until Everyone is Safe’ by strengthening education, research, and legal scholarship on refugee protection and forced displacement. 

Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Asmatullah Shah, noted Pakistan’s long tradition of hosting refugees and working with partners to address displacement challenges. 

H.E. Ambassador of Switzerland, Mr. Georg Steiner, congratulated UNHCR and QAU on the milestone, saying that the partnership will help develop future legal professionals, policymakers, researchers, and advocates. Steiner underscored that effective refugee protection goes beyond humanitarian assistance.  

“It is also about strengthening the institutions, knowledge, and legal frameworks that enable communities to respond to displacement in a principled and sustainable manner,” he said.   Earlier, Director of the School of Law, Dr. Aziz ur Rehman, provided an overview of the Cooperation Framework Agreement.  

A DAFI scholarship recipient and pharmacy student spoke about the challenges refugees face in accessing education and shared her concerns about the future of Afghans, particularly women.   “I have wonderful Pakistani friends and professors here at the university, who have never treated me differently,” she said. “Through them, I learned that kindness has no nationality, and friendship knows no borders.” 

UNHCR continues to work with partners to support refugees, returnees, and host communities. On World Refugee Day, it calls for continued solidarity so that people forced to flee can access protection, assistance, and opportunities to rebuild their lives – until everyone is safe.  — DNA