Pakistan Extends Stay For Afghan Refugees, Continues Deportation Of Others

Immigrants, mostly Afghans, line up as they wait for their turn to verify data at a counter of Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 17, 2023. The

Pakistan has announced an extension for nearly 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (POR) cards, allowing them to stay in the country until June 30, 2025. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the fate of refugees whose PORs had expired at the end of June.

The United Nations' high commissioner for refugees recently visited Afghanistan and urged Pakistan to extend the POR cards, which was met with a positive response from the Pakistani government. However, it is important to note that Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the plan to deport undocumented Afghan refugees, known as the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, remains in place and is being implemented gradually.

Pakistan is home to a significant refugee population, with over 3 million Afghan refugees residing in the country, according to UNHCR data. While the extension of POR cards provides some relief, concerns remain about the status of undocumented refugees and Afghan Citizen Card holders.

Many Afghan refugees fled their country due to conflicts and oppressive regimes, seeking safety in Pakistan. However, the living conditions for refugees in Pakistan have not always been welcoming, with threats of deportation looming over the years.

UNHCR urged Pakistan to extend POR cards for Afghan refugees.

Pakistan extends POR cards for 1.5 million Afghan refugees until 2025.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.

Despite the challenges faced by Afghan refugees, the extension of POR cards offers a sense of security for some individuals. However, there are still issues surrounding documentation for family members, leading to fears of separation within households.

Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have highlighted the difficulties refugees encounter in obtaining proper documentation. They have called on the Pakistani government to suspend the deportation plan, halt all deportations, and establish a legal framework in line with international refugee law to protect the rights of refugees.

The situation for Afghan refugees remains complex, especially with the ongoing challenges in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. The international community continues to monitor the developments and advocate for the rights and well-being of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.