Registration card
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has granted a six-month extension to the Proof of Registration card for Afghan citizens.
This decision was made by the cabinet after approving a proposal submitted by the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions on Wednesday.
The request for this extension had been put forth by both the ministries of interior and foreign affairs. The extension will be in effect from July 1 to December 31, 2023, as the POR cards had originally expired on June 30.
This extension will apply to approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees and their families. The move follows the return of over 200,000 undocumented refugees across the border to Afghanistan.
The government has set a deadline of November 1 for Afghan refugees to leave the country as part of their efforts to address the issue of illegal immigrants.
Islamabad’s decision is based on the claim that Afghan nationals have been involved in criminal activities, smuggling, and a significant number of suicide bombings, with 14 out of 24 incidents reported this year.
Pakistani authorities allege that militants use Afghan territory for training and planning attacks within Pakistan, while Kabul maintains that Pakistan’s security concerns are a domestic matter.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar, before embarking on an official visit to Tashkent, expressed that terror attacks in Pakistan have seen a 60% increase since the Taliban-led government assumed power in Afghanistan two years ago.
He emphasized Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with Afghanistan and the country’s history of hosting millions of refugees for over four decades.
