Media Update: United Nations Pakistan, 27 November 2025
UNIC-Islamabad
Media Update
27 November 2025
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FAO
PRESS RELEASE
EU, FAO Conclude SRAS Project Supporting over 200.000 people in Sindh
Karachi, 26 November 2025 –The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and The European Union (EU) together with the Government of Sindh, marked the successful completion of the Strengthening Resilience of Agro-Pastoralists in Sindh (SRAS) project during a closing ceremony held in Karachi today.
Implemented in Umerkot and Tharparkar, the four-year EU funded EUR 3 million SRAS project enhanced food security and resilience for 48205 smallholder farming households, benefiting over 200,000 people. Through FAO Pakistan and its partners, Arid Zone Research Centre (AZRC), Thardeep Rural Development Programme (TRDP), and Management Development Foundation (MDF), 14,000 households received productive subsidies including 3,000 households received resilient breed improvement interventions, 705,000 livestock were vaccinated, and vulnerable farmers were supported with animal feed and mineral supplements. The project trained 8,970 farmers via Livestock Farmer and Agro-pastoral Field Schools, established 10 Producer Marketing Groups. 14,423 ha of agriculture land was benefited and 700 acres of rangeland were restored with indigenous grasses and trees.
Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Raimundas Karoblis, Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan, highlighted the EU’s commitment to supporting climate resilience and rural development in Sindh.
“We believe that through the comprehensive approach adopted by the project, the EU has contributed to reducing the vulnerability of targeted communities to climatic and economic shocks,” he said. Strengthening climate resilience is at the heart of the EU development
cooperation agenda in Pakistan, including in Sindh which was particularly hard hit by the 2022 floods. “The SRAS project has been part of the 1 billion EUR Team Europe response to the 2022 floods, reallocating funding to provide emergency assistance to 5,750
households in Umerkot.
Representing FAO Pakistan, James Okoth, Officer-in-Charge, commended the strong partnership behind the project.
“SRAS has helped families continue food production and protect their livelihoods during an exceptionally difficult period,” he said. “The strengthened systems, developed skills, and new community structures provide a solid foundation for continued resilience.
FAO remains committed to supporting Sindh in advancing climate-smart agriculture and strengthening market systems.”
Najam Ahmed Shah, Chairman Planning of Development, Government of Sindh, reaffirmed the provincial government’s commitment to sustaining the practices introduced through SRAS and praised the project’s alignment with Sindh’s agricultural development priorities.
The ceremony featured a video highlighting SRAS’s achievements, live testimonials, a photo exhibition showcasing project milestones and community transformations, and a Commitment Wall where guests pledged to continue efforts toward resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems.
For media inquiries, please contact: To learn more, please visit.
Osama Razzak Facebook: www.facebook.com/FAOinPakistan
Communications Associate , FAO Pakistan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FAOPakistan
osama....@fao.org,
0314-5679444 Website: www.fao.org/Pakistan
یورپی یونین اور ادارۂ خوراک و زراعت اقوامِ متحدہ پاکستان کی جانب سے سندھ میں پراجیکٹ برائے استعدادِ مویشی پرور افراد کی کامیاب تکمیل کا اعلان — دو لاکھ سے زائد افراد مستفید
کراچی، 26 نومبر 2025 —
ادارۂ خوراک و زراعت اقوامِ متحدہ پاکستان نے یورپی یونین اور حکومتِ سندھ کے تعاون سے عمرکوٹ اور تھرپارکر میں جاری چار سالہ پراجیکٹ برائے استعدادِ مویشی پرور افراد کی تکمیل کا اعلان کیا، جس سے مجموعی طور پر دو لاکھ سے زائد افراد اور چھوٹے کاشتکاروں کے 48 ہزار دو سو پانچ گھرانے براہ راست مستفید ہوئے۔
یہ منصوبہ غذائی تحفظ کو بہتر بنانے اور دیہی آبادی کی موسمی و معاشی مشکلات کے مقابلے کی صلاحیت بڑھانے کے مقصد کے تحت شروع کیا گیا تھا، جس کے دوران 14 ہزار گھرانوں کو پیداواری مدد فراہم کی گئی، تین ہزار گھرانوں میں مویشیوں کی نسل بہتر بنانے کے اقدامات کیے گئے، سات لاکھ پانچ ہزار مویشیوں کو حفاظتی ٹیکے لگائے گئے اور کمزور خاندانوں کی معاونت کے لیے جانوروں کے چارے اور معدنی سپلیمنٹس فراہم کیے گئے۔ اسی طرح آٹھ ہزار نو سو ستر کسانوں کو تربیتی فیلڈ اسکولوں کے ذریعے عملی رہنمائی دی گئی، کمیونٹیز کی سطح پر دس مارکیٹنگ گروپ قائم کیے گئے، جبکہ چودہ ہزار چار سو تئیس ہیکٹر زرعی زمین کو بہتر بنانے اور سات سو ایکڑ چراگاہوں کی مقامی گھاس اور درختوں کے ذریعے بحالی کا عمل مکمل کیا گیا، جس سے مقامی ماحول اور معاش کے ذرائع کو تقویت ملی۔
تقریب سے خطاب کرتے ہوئے یورپی یونین کے سفیر ریمونڈاس کاروبلس نے کہا کہ یہ منصوبہ دیہی آبادی کی بحالی اور لچک میں ایک اہم سنگِ میل ثابت ہوا اور 2022 کے سیلاب کے بعد کیے گئے امدادی اقدامات کا حصہ تھا۔ انہوں نے اس اعتماد کا اظہار کیا کہ اس منصوبے نے متعلقہ کمیونٹیز کی مشکلات کے مقابلے کی اہلیت میں نمایاں بہتری پیدا کی ہے۔
ادارۂ خوراک و زراعت اقوامِ متحدہ پاکستان کی جانب سے جیمز اوکوتھ نے کہا کہ اس منصوبے نے مشکل حالات میں خاندانوں کو خوراک کی پیداوار جاری رکھنے اور اپنے روزگار کے ذرائع محفوظ بنانے میں مدد دی، جبکہ تربیت، مہارت اور کمیونٹی ڈھانچوں نے مستقبل کے لیے مضبوط بنیاد فراہم کی ہے۔ انہوں نے کہا کہ ادارۂ خوراک و زراعت اقوامِ متحدہ پاکستان سندھ میں موسمیاتی لحاظ سے موزوں زراعت کو فروغ دینے کے لیے پرعزم ہے۔
چیئرمین پلاننگ اینڈ ڈیولپمنٹ حکومتِ سندھ نجّم احمد شاہ نے کہا کہ صوبائی حکومت اس منصوبے کے تحت متعارف کرائے گئے طریقوں اور عملی اقدامات کو برقرار رکھنے کے لیے پرعزم ہے اور انہیں سندھ کی زرعی ترقی کی ترجیحات کے مطابق قرار دیا۔
اختتامی تقریب میں منصوبے کی کامیابیوں پر مبنی ویڈیو پیش کی گئی، کمیونٹیز کے تاثرات سنے گئے اور تصویری نمائش کے ذریعے اہم مراحل اور تبدیلیوں کو اجاگر کیا گیا، جبکہ شرکا نے پائیدار اور لچکدار زرعی نظام کے فروغ کے لیے اپنے عزم کا اظہار کیا۔
For media inquiries, please contact: To learn more, please visit.
Osama Razzak Facebook: www.facebook.com/FAOinPakistan
Communications Associate , FAO Pakistan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FAOPakistan
osama....@fao.org,
0314-5679444 Website: www.fao.org/Pakistan
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UNDP
PRESS RELEASE
Commemorating Four Years of NCHR
Islamabad, 26 November 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), under the Huqooq-e-Pakistan II project funded by the European Union (EU), supported the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) in hosting an end-of-term event to mark the Commission’s four-year tenure.
The event, titled Impact Through Courage – Four Years of Serving Pakistan, brought together over 100 representatives from the government, the diplomatic community, international organizations, and civil society to reflect on the NCHR’s evolution to an internationally recognized national human rights institution, its contributions to human rights protection in Pakistan, and the road ahead.
“The NCHR stands today as one of Pakistan’s most credible and respected public institutions,” said Dr. Samuel Rizk, UNDP Resident Representative in Pakistan. “It has shown that human rights work is not just an office to hold or a job to do, it is a conscientious commitment. UNDP is proud to have walked this path with the Commission, and we remain committed to supporting its continuity so it can keep advancing human rights protections across the country.”
In a detailed presentation, NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha outlined how the Commission evolved over the last four years. Key achievements included increased engagement with international obligations – including achieving A-status accreditation by GANHRI – strengthening oversight of prisons, torture and juvenile justice, and extensive work on the rights of women, minorities and other vulnerable groups. Through these efforts, the Commission has contributed to documenting violations, informing policy debates, and expanding avenues for redress to those whose rights are at risk.
“These four years have shown us that when an institution stands firmly on principle and courage, meaningful change becomes possible,” said the Chairperson. “We rebuilt systems, strengthened oversight, and centered the experiences of people whose rights are too often overlooked. Today is not just a celebration of institutional progress, but of every survivor, every community, and every partner who trusted us with their stories. Their resilience has shaped the Commission’s journey.”
The event also featured a curated visual exhibition tracing the NCHR’s work on specific thematic areas, including the rights of women, prisoners, and minorities, as well as labor rights, and the inclusion of mental health as a fundamental right. Exhibition panels combined case studies with statistics to showcase concrete impact on the ground.
Speaking on behalf of the EU, Philipp Oliver Gross, Deputy Head of Mission, said: “The EU is proud to support the NCHR and Pakistan’s broader human rights commitments, including under GSP+. The Commission’s progress over these years shows how strong oversight institutions can help safeguard fundamental rights and give a voice to those who are often unheard.”
Speakers underlined that the NCHR’s importance extends beyond its legal mandate to its role in bringing people’s experiences into policy and institutional reform. By visiting prisons, hearing complaints, engaging communities, and advising on legislation, the Commission has helped surface systemic issues, highlight gaps in protection and support more inclusive, rights-based governance.
“As the Ministry responsible for human rights, we see the Commission as a vital constitutional body that widens the state’s ability to correct its own course,” said Abdul Khalique Shaikh, Secretary of the Ministry of Human Rights. “Its independence allows it to raise concerns directly. Its collaboration with the Government of Pakistan allows us to move towards solutions. This balance is essential, and we value it.”
Looking ahead, the gains made over the past four years depend on continuity. The timely appointment of the next Chairperson and Members will be critical to preserving momentum for national initiatives, sustaining Pakistan’s compliance with international human rights commitments, and ensuring that reforms translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives, to leave no one behind.
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For additional information, contact Fizza Bangash, Communications Lead, UNDP Pakistan fizza....@undp.org.
About UNDP:
UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.
Learn more at undp.org
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UNHCR
PRESS RELEASE
One million Afghans returned from Pakistan in 2025: UNHCR
ISLAMABAD, 27 November 2025: As winter sets in and temperatures fall across the region, thousands of Afghans - including refugees and asylum-seekers - are returning to Afghanistan under mounting pressure, despite the country’s grave human rights and humanitarian situation.
UNHCR confirmed that more than one million Afghans have returned from Pakistan to Afghanistan in 2025. “In the right circumstances, this would be something to celebrate,” said Philippa Candler, UNHCR Representative in Pakistan. “But under the current conditions, it raises more concerns than solutions.”
UNHCR has been scaling up its presence at border crossing points, where returnees - many of them women and children - are arriving cold, exhausted, and in urgent need of support. The agency and its partners are providing immediate assistance, including temporary shelter, relief items, and protection services.
However, with winter intensifying and humanitarian resources severely strained, the gap between needs and available support is widening rapidly. Without sustained and expanded assistance, the sustainability of returns from both Iran and Pakistan remains in question. If returnees cannot reintegrate effectively, onward movement becomes inevitable.
In Afghanistan, nine in ten people live in poverty, and the combined impact of economic crisis, unemployment and weakened public services is leaving families exposed. Over 2.2 million people have returned from Pakistan and Iran in 2025 with little to rebuild their lives, while recent earthquakes have deepened their hardship.
With governments’ support declining, UNHCR is calling on individual and private donors to help raise at least 35 million to deliver life-saving assistance in Afghanistan and other hard-hit regions. These funds will help vulnerable families stay warm, safe and supported through the harsh months.
UNHCR also stressed that significant protection needs for Afghans persist inside Pakistan, especially for individuals at heightened risk due to their profiles, past affiliations, or vulnerabilities. Many require legal assistance, documentation, and community-based protection services to ensure their safety and dignity.
UNHCR urges the Government of Pakistan to ensure that Afghans with specific protection needs are exempted from the provisions of the Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan (IFRP) and allowed to remain safely in the country. Doing so would uphold Pakistan’s long-standing tradition of hospitality and protection, which has safeguarded millions over decades.
Media contact
Mr. Qaisar Khan Afridi, UNHCR Pakistan Spokesperson, +92-300-5018696
UNIC-Islamabad
Media Update
21 January 2026
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WHO
PRESS RELEASE
Rotary funds WHO to support Pakistan in protecting 27 million children against polio in high-risk districts
Rotary International’s grant will enable part of the World Health Organization’s operations, in partnership with the Pakistan-led Polio Eradication Initiative, to protect over 45 million children against the global threat of paralytic polio in 2026.
21 January 2026 – Islamabad, Pakistan – Rotary International has provided a grant of US$ 9.9 million to the World Health Organization (WHO) in Pakistan to support the vaccination of 27 million children against polio in high-risk districts. This partnership will reinforce the operations of the Government of Pakistan-led Polio Eradication Initiative, which conducts multiple nationwide door-to-door campaigns and subnational drives each year, reaching over 45 million children.
Rotary is a founding member of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) – a public-private partnership to eradicate polio worldwide led by national governments with six partners: WHO, Rotary International, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, UNICEF, Gates Foundation and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Since the launch of Pakistan’s Polio Eradication Initiative three decades ago, Pakistan has reduced polio cases by 99.8% – from 20,000 cases in 1994 to 31 cases in 2025.
Globally, since 1988, the GPEI has brought down polio cases by 99.9%. As of today, wild poliovirus type 1 remains endemic only in two countries: Afghanistan and Pakistan.
To date, Rotary has contributed US$ 3 billion to global polio eradication efforts and nearly US$ 500 million to Pakistan, along with high-level advocacy and countless volunteer hours.
“Rotary’s support is the best example of how a partnership can protect millions of lives. WHO extends its deepest appreciation to Rotary for its continuing support as a founding partner of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Rotary’s long-standing commitment is crucial in our journey towards a polio-free world,” said WHO Representative in Pakistan Dr Luo Dapeng.
“Science indicates that ending polio in Pakistan and worldwide is within reach if we sustain the ongoing partnership and eradication efforts. However, the detection of wild poliovirus type 1 in Germany last November is a strong reminder that the cost of inaction would be far greater than the cost of action, since no country and no child will be safe until the virus is fully eradicated everywhere.”
The grant to WHO Pakistan is part of a larger US$ 14.9 million contribution to overall polio eradication efforts in Pakistan. With these funds, WHO will support polio immunization in high-risk districts of Balochistan, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The funds will be allocated to campaign operations, including human resources and incentives, training, transportation, supplies for frontline workers, vaccine carriers, and operational costs.
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For additional information, please contact:
- José Ignacio Martín Galán, Head of Communications, WHO Pakistan: joma...@who.int
- Maryam Yunus, National Professional Officer – Communications, WHO Pakistan: yun...@who.int
About WHO: Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. We work with 194 Member States across more than 150 locations to ensure everyone, everywhere, can attain the highest level of health. WHO has been active in Pakistan since 1960. For more information, visit https://www.emro.who.int/countries/pak/index.html.
