ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has extended the stay of Afghan immigrants legally residing in the country by another year, coming just a day after the UN refugee commissioner called for a halt to Pakistan’s refugee repatriation plans.
As per the report, in a meeting of the federal cabinet, a go-ahead was given to a one-year extension of Proof of Registration (POR) cards for 1,450,000 Afghan refugees whose POR cards expired last month. The POR cards have been extended until 30th June next year.
The development came a day after United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi met with top Pakistani officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz, and praised the country for suspending the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” according to a statement issued by the UNHCR.
During his discussions with Pakistani officials, the high commissioner called for the timely extension of the POR cards, a crucial identity document held by over 1.3 million Afghan refugees.
The statement said Grandi also sought assurance that the repatriation plan would stay on hold.
In the meeting, PM Shehbaz Sharif urged the world to recognize the country’s burden of hosting a large population of Afghan refugees and to demonstrate collective responsibility.
Islamabad began expelling undocumented foreigners, mostly Afghans, in November last year amid a dispute over accusations that Afghanistan harbors militants, a charge its ruling Taliban deny.
Pakistan says it is also struggling to host millions of refugees while grappling with an economic crisis.
Last year, Pakistan announced a major drive to repatriate foreigners without visas, primarily the approximately 4 million Afghans who crossed the border during 40 years of armed conflict in their home country and after the Taliban seized power in 2021.
It should be noted that more than 500,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan since the campaign was announced, As per UN figures.
