Pakistan authorities extend stay for registered Afghan refugees

Pakistan has extended the term of a key document allowing Afghans to live in the country legally, providing some relief for refugees fearing deportation, VOA reported.

However, concerns persist over Pakistan’s recent moves to expel refugees, with hundreds of thousands already forced to return to Afghanistan.

The extension of the proof of registration cards for Afghan refugees will allow access to essential services until June 30, the news agency added.

Pakistan’s drive to evict foreign nationals has led to over half a million Afghans leaving the country since last fall. Currently, Pakistan is home to around 3.1 million Afghans, with 1.35 million holding proof of registration cards.

A recent survey by Save the Children revealed nearly 65 percent of the 250,000 children who returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan are not in school anymore, largely because of a lack of documents needed to enroll.