Key Points
- Federal cabinet extends Afghan refugees’ stay by 1 year.
- Extension valid until June 30, 2025.
- 1.45 million Afghan refugees affected.
- UNHCR welcomes the decision.
- Major PoR cardholders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, Azad Jammu, and Kashmir.
- 500,000 undocumented Afghans repatriated since November 1.
- Pakistan’s Foreign Office denies suspension of the repatriation plan.
On Wednesday, Pakistan’s federal cabinet granted a one-year extension for registered Afghan refugees, whose Proof of Registration (PoR) cards had expired on June 30, 2024.
This extension will now allow these refugees to stay in the country until June 30, 2025. The decision affects approximately 1.45 million Afghan refugees.
This move comes after the caretaker government’s announcement in October last year to repatriate all illegal foreigners, which many believed targeted Afghan refugees.
Despite this, up to 500,000 undocumented Afghans have been repatriated since November 1.
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has welcomed this extension, calling it a significant relief for refugees facing uncertainty.
According to UNHCR spokesman Qaisar Khan Afridi, this gesture demonstrates Pakistan’s commitment to the global refugee cause, showing solidarity and compassion towards displaced people.
PoR cardholders primarily reside in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Punjab, Sindh, Islamabad, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite the UNHCR’s claims, Pakistan’s Foreign Office maintains that the repatriation plan for illegal Afghans remains in place and is being implemented orderly.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over the cabinet meeting that approved this extension. The decision aligns with reports that Pakistan had temporarily halted the repatriation of Afghans without legal documents.
However, the Foreign Office spokesperson denied any suspension of the repatriation plan.
This development reflects Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to manage its significant Afghan refugee population, balancing humanitarian considerations with national security concerns.