Pakistan, UNHCR agree on lasting solutions for afghan refugees

Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Friday held a telephonic conversation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi.

They discussed matters related to Pakistan-UNHCR cooperation.

The recent attacks and violent demonstrations by Afghani diaspora against Pakistan’s Diplomatic Missions in Frankfurt, London and Brussels also came under discussion, Radio Pakistan reported.

The High Commissioner appreciated Pakistan’s traditional hospitality towards Afghan refugees, in particular the recent decision by the Government of Pakistan to extend the validity of Proof of Registration Card.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister and the High Commissioner agreed to continue to work together to advance Pakistan-UNHCR cooperation and find lasting solution to the issue of Afghan refugees, read the report.

This comes after the Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation of Afghanistan has announced that Pakistan has extended the POR (Proof of Registration) cards for Afghan refugees for another year.

On Thursday, July 25th, the Ministry reported on X that the Afghan Commissioner for Refugees in Islamabad confirmed the extension of POR cards for Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan. The new validity of these cards is from June 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025.

This extension comes amid rising tensions as the Pakistani government has been deporting over two thousand individuals daily. Despite the extension, Afghan refugees holding POR cards are increasingly concerned about the possibility of forced deportation to Afghanistan.

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