In his 10 years of experience in the field of refugee work, the High Commissioner had noted that the worst thing that could happen to a refugee is to remain idle. This creates bitterness and breeds unrest and instability. The refugee becomes frustrated and turns against his country and the country of asylum

I would like to underline that when we talk about solutions we do not just mean settlement in European and other countries to which these refugees and asylum-seekers travel. To us the best solution is one in which refugees and asylum-seekers can return in safety and dignity to the countries of origin. When that is not possible, one should also actively pursue temporary solutions in the regions to which they have greater affinity.

“I would like to congratulate Aga Khan University Hospital for being the first CAP accredited laboratory in Pakistan. We know that the journey has been a long one but we are sure and certain that the benefits of our accreditation and your continual desire to improve your services, your performance, your accuracy, your reliability, and your precision, will benefit the patients in Pakistan”

The recognition of private sector capabilities, which in the past have often been considered politically unacceptable in developing countries, is extending into the sphere of social institutions. More and more countries are questioning why it was ever necessary to nationalise competent private schools and medical facilities. In Pakistan, for example, private schools are now being returned to their former owners.

In the Third World we are not talking about saving for refrigerators or cars. We are talking about the ability to buy proper clothing and to send children to primary school, to live in a house - however primitive - not in a hovel. We are talking about improvements which do not require large amounts of money but do require a genuine understanding of the impediments to improving the quality of life of rural people.