ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) has issued clear instructions to all departments to halt any action against Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, until a final decision is made regarding their legal status in Pakistan.
In a formal statement, SAFRON clarified that the extension of PoR cards is currently under consideration, and until a decision is finalized, refugees should not be harassed or subjected to enforcement action.
The Ministry has also issued directions to the Ministry of Interior, provincial Chief Secretaries, and Inspectors General of Police to ensure implementation of this policy nationwide.
Earlier, it was reported that the government is considering extending the legal stay of PoR cardholders for three to six months. Sources say a proposal to extend their stay by six months will soon be presented to the federal cabinet.
وزارت ریاستی و سرحدی امور (سیفران) نے تمام صوبوں، اسلام آباد، آزاد کشمیر، اور شمالی علاقہ جات کے اعلیٰ حکام اور پولیس سربراہان کو ہدایات جاری کی ہیں کہ رجسٹرڈ #افغان مہاجرین کو گرفتار اور حراساں کرنے سے گریز کریں کیونکہ ان کے پاس کارڈز کی مدت میں توسیع زیر غور ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/DR3an3NLSU
— Tahir Khan (@taahir_khan) July 4, 2025
A high-level meeting was held on this issue, attended by officials from SAFRON, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and security agencies. It was noted that many Afghan refugees were born in Pakistan, and some have businesses and property. Authorities stressed that these individuals should be given time to manage their affairs.
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So far this year, many Afghan nationals have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan, while thousands more have arrived from Iran. Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan have recently improved, especially after a meeting between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan in Beijing.
Afghanistan had requested Pakistan to give Afghan nationals more time. In March, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that while security in Afghanistan is stable, the country cannot handle a sudden mass return and needs time to prepare.
In early March, Pakistan had decided to expel all undocumented foreigners, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, by March 31. Their personal data, including business and residential details, was being collected for screening.
