Pakistan on Wednesday extended by another year Proof of Registration (POR) cards of Afghan refugees, enabling them to remain in the country without hindrance until 2025.
The federal cabinet approved the extension until June 30, facilitating 1.45 million legal Afghan refugees, including those whose POR cards had expired last month. The decision followed an official visit to Pakistan of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi, who called on the Prime Minister and appreciated the country for suspending the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” according to a statement issued by the UNHCR.
During his discussions with Pakistani officials, read the statement, the high commissioner had called for the timely extension of the POR cards and sought assurance that the repatriation plan would remain on hold. It said P.M. Sharif had urged him to apprise the world of the burden imposed on Pakistan for hosting a large population of Afghan refugees and demonstrating collective responsibility.
According to the statement, Pakistan still hosts roughly 3 million Afghans and resolving the situation entails multiple options, including voluntary repatriation, third-country resettlement and longer-term solutions within Pakistan.
In a statement posted on X after his visit, Grandi welcomed the news of the one-year extension to the POR cards. “Glad that Pakistan’s tradition of hospitality is maintained. As discussed with the government we must now focus on solutions and sustainable support,” he added.
The interim government last year initiated a massive drive to repatriate illegal foreigners from Pakistan, primarily targeting the roughly four million Afghans who crossed the border during 40 years of armed conflict in their home country and after the Taliban seized power in 2021. Since the launch of the campaign, over 500,000 Afghans have left Pakistan.