Peshawar Zalmi, UNHCR renew partnership to support Afghan refugees

ISLAMABAD: UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and Peshawar Zalmi have entered into a strategic partnership, calling for greater compassion towards Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan and urging that their situation be viewed through a humanitarian lens.

Peshawar Zalmi is a leading franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the country’s premier cricket championship, which has been held annually since 2015.

“Refugees have stories, hopes and dreams – just like anyone else. Their plight should be understood through the lens of human rights,” said Javed Afridi, Chairman of Peshawar Zalmi and the Zalmi Foundation, at an event on Wednesday where the partnership between UNHCR and Peshawar Zalmi was renewed.

“Sport is a unifying force, and through our continued partnership with UNHCR, we aim to highlight the strength and resilience of refugees. We are proud to stand alongside UNHCR and use our platform to inspire empathy and support for displaced communities,” Afridi added.

As Season 10 of the Pakistan Super League begins, UNHCR and Peshawar Zalmi have reaffirmed their commitment to raising awareness and fostering support for refugees and displaced communities through the powerful medium of sports.

Peshawar Zalmi’s official jerseys feature the UNHCR emblem, symbolizing their ongoing commitment to standing in solidarity with refugees.

Also read: PHC bars deportation of Afghan refugees with POR cards

The extended agreement was formally announced by Mian Abbas Layaq, Chief Operating Officer of Peshawar Zalmi, and Fumiko Kashiwa, Deputy Representative of UNHCR, at a ceremony held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, in the presence of Zalmi cricketers Hussain Talat and Najibullah Zadran.

Kashiwa noted that sports play a significant role in fostering awareness, inclusion, and solidarity. “By joining hands with Peshawar Zalmi, we aim to create a platform where refugees are seen and heard, and where their dreams and aspirations are recognized. Through such collaborations, we can inspire communities to embrace refugees as valuable members of society,” she said.