ISLAMABAD - The government has decided to extend the deadline for the stay of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan for more two years.
In this regard, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) has prepared a summary which will be soon forwarded to the federal cabinet for approval, said an official yesterday.
There are some 1.5 million registered Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan, who were issued Proof of Residence (PoR) cards by the National Database and Registration Authority that expired on December 31, 2015. The validity of PoR cards was extended till June 30, 2016, with the approval of the prime minister on January 11 this year, the ministry official added.
He said the ministry wanted repatriation of registered Afghan nationals to their country in phases. For this purpose, two-year more extension in the validity of their Proof of Residence (PoR) cards was required.
He said millions of Afghans, residing in the country illegally, were involved in terror and other criminal activities.
The Ministry of Interior and provincial home departments had been assigned to trace the illegal Afghan nationals and arrange their repatriation to Afghanistan. This would help overcome terror incidents and crimes in the country, he added.