Court approves stay application of Afghan nationals married to Pakistanis

The Peshawar High Court approved the applications of as many as 109 Afghan nationals married to Pakistanis and ordered the issuance of Pakistan Origin Card (POC) for them, Aaj English TV reported.

The POC holders cannot obtain a Pakistani passport or cast a vote in the elections. They can enjoy all the other rights given to a Pakistani citizen. The POC holders can entre or exit Pakistan without a visa.

Thousands of Afghans have gone underground in Pakistan to avoid deportation, fearing for their lives if they return to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan following a hasty and chaotic withdrawal of US-led Western forces in 2021.