Actress Mahira Khan, famed in South Asia for her roles both in Bollywood and cinema and television in her native Pakistan, today became a National Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
“I feel privileged to have been chosen to serve this noble cause,” said Khan at the appointment ceremony, which was held on Wednesday in Islamabad.
Khan gained international fame and a huge following for her roles in the films Raees and Superstar, as well as numerous roles in television.
Prior to this appointment, she visited with Afghan refugees in Peshawar last year as part of a high-profile UN delegation. She has also spoken up for the needs of more than 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan in media interviews.
At the ceremony, Khan paid tribute to Pakistan for hosting Afghan refugees, who were first uprooted by conflict 40 years ago.
“I feel proud that my country has shown such generosity towards three generations of Afghan refugees,” she said. “By becoming UNHCR National Goodwill Ambassador, I wish to stand behind such incredible acts of hospitality and humanity,” she added.
