A roundtable titled, “Dynamics of Forced Migration in Pakistan: Addressing Internal Displacement and Refugee Movements” was convened by the Centre for International Peace & Stability (CIPS), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) in co-operation with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF), Pakistan Office. The gathering was graced with the presence of Mr. Igor Ivancic, Assistant Representative (Protection) at the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) as the keynote speaker.

The event was organized into two sessions: the first session focused on “Pakistan’s Experience with Internal Displacement” and the second session’s discussion was dedicated to “Exploring Durable Solutions to the Protracted Afghan Refugee Crisis in Pakistan.” The roundtable brought together eminent speakers with expertise in domains of policy formation as well as implementation, along with academics with thorough knowledge on the subject. The deliberates included Lt. General Asif Yasin Malik, HI (M) (Retired), Brigadier Aftab Ahmed Qureshi, Mr. Syed Akhtar Ali Shah, Mr. Ihsan Ghani, Mr. Rustam Shah Mohmand, Dr. Adnan Rafiq, Ms. Shad Begum, Dr. Sohail Ahmad, and Miss Menahil Tahir.

The keynote speaker and other presenters gave pertinent remarks highlighting the plight of the forcibly displaced populations and the need for systematized policy-making with contextual considerations. Drawing from the roundtable conference, the broad consensus crystalized that Pakistan’s management of the internally displaced and the refugees should be promulgated on more visible forums since Pakistan has extensive lessons and experiences to offer for countering the challenges posed by forced migration.