ISLAMABAD – The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi and UNUnder-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency ReliefCoordinator, Mark Lowcock met with Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday inIslamabad.

The two UN officials expressed their gratitude to the people and governmentof Pakistan – acknowledging Pakistan’s generosity in hosting one of theworld’s largest refugee populations for decades.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister affirmed his government’s commitmentto refugee repatriation remaining voluntary despite the internal challengesthat Pakistan faces.

Mr Lowcock confirmed his determination to mobilize greater internationalsupport for areas hosting refugees and other communities affected bydisplacement. “There is a major opportunity now to help the people of thetribal districts to improve their lives. The international community mustdo all it can to support the Government in this,” he said.

Prime Minister Imran Khan noted UNHCR’s generous financial contribution andsupport provided to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital andResearch Centre in Peshawar – which Mr. Grandi and Mr Lowcock are scheduledto visit Saturday.