**UNHCR and SHARP Conduct Training for Khushab Police on Refugee Rights**
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), in partnership with the Society for Human Rights and Prisoners’ Aid (SHARP), has organized a training session for 25 police officers in Khushab, Punjab, focusing on refugee rights and international protection protocols. The initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance the capacity of local law enforcement to better serve and protect the rights of refugees in Pakistan.
The training sought to provide police officers with comprehensive knowledge of the legal and human rights frameworks governing refugee protection. By educating law enforcement on international standards, the program aims to promote a more informed and respectful approach when dealing with displaced populations, helping ensure refugees are treated with dignity and fairness.
This session was held with the backing of several key institutions, including the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions, the Chief Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees, and the provincial commissionerates in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The joint effort reflects a shared commitment to building a safer, more inclusive environment for refugees in Pakistan.
Officials from UNHCR and SHARP highlighted the pivotal role of police in safeguarding refugees from discrimination and unlawful detention. They encouraged participating officers to become ambassadors of protection within their communities, noting Pakistan’s significant responsibility as host to one of the world’s largest protracted refugee populations.
The training forms part of an ongoing nationwide initiative aimed at strengthening institutional support for refugee rights. By investing in the education of law enforcement personnel, UNHCR and its partners hope to create a more responsive and rights-based system for managing refugee affairs throughout the country.
