Mahira Khan’s meeting Afghan refugees across Pakistan in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, raising awareness and penning her experiences.
Khan is currently in Peshawar with the UNHCR chief, Filippo Grandi, who is in Pakistan for a three-day visit along with UN Humanitarian Chief Mark Lowcock.
Khan called the refugee issue a “matter of the world,” saying it is erroneous that Pakistanis see the refugee issue in isolation.
Speaking in Geo News’ show “Naya Pakistan,” Khan said one of the questions she’s asked is why Pakistanis should care about the Afghan refugees when Pakistan has many problems of its own.
“This is our country. This is our home. Whoever comes here, and we’re very good hosts, right?” Khan said. “So, we have to look after them. We can’t be indifferent to them.”
“Some things just stick with you,” Khan said. “A lot of things you choose yourself, but this cause chose me. And I’m very thankful that this cause chose me, because I knew, yes, I have to do this.”
Being on the ground with refugees, the actor got to see the depth of the issue. Before her visit to the refugee camps, she read about the issue but didn’t experience the gravity of the situation.
“When you hear such powerful stories only then you would be able to tell about them,” she said. “When we were meeting people, two (refugees) said we’ve been here for 39 years, which is a very, very long time.”
Khan said the media should help raise awareness. “There are certain things I might not be able to do,” she said. “The truth is I do have the power to take that time out. And thus I can.”