World Refugee Day 2003: Pakistan

Afghan handicrafts – including a model of a UNHCR supply truck – on display at celebrations in Islamabad. © UNHCR/J.Redden

© UNHCR/J.Redden

Islamabad marked World Refugee Day with two days of celebrations ranging from a drawing contest on the theme, "Afghanistan, My Country", to a speech contest on the topic, "Refugees and their lives in Pakistan". There was also an Afghan handicraft exhibition, a movie screening and a song and dance contest among young Afghan refugees.

Afghan refugee Saudullah Maroofi, 11, won the art contest in Islamabad with his vision of Afghanistan after two decades of war and what it would look like in a rebuilt future.

© UNHCR/J.Redden

In Peshawar, refugee camps held youth debates, embroidery displays and exhibitions of paintings and items made by Afghan youth in the camps' vocational training centre.

Judges going through the entries of a drawing contest for refugee youth in Peshawar.

© UNHCR/M.Arzomand

In Quetta, June 20 started with a mass walk for refugee youth, organised by UNHCR and the All Pakistan Youth Federation. Local NGOs, aid agencies and Afghan students also took part.

A mass walk in Quetta attended by the All Pakistan Youth Federation, UNHCR and its partner agencies, as well as government officials.

© UNHCR/B.Baloch

A function was held at the Quetta Children's Academy with songs, dances, short dramas, a painting exhibition and stalls set up by different organisations.