Pakistan Extends Registration Cards for 1.5 Million Afghan Refugees

In a move welcomed by the UN, Pakistan has announced a one-year extension of the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards for nearly 1.5 million Afghan refugees, Al Jazeera reported yesterday.

The decision comes after the Prime Minister’s meeting with the UN refugee agency chief Filippo Grandi, who urged Pakistan to halt its deportation plan.

Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees since the 1979 Soviet invasion, with the latest influx following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The country currently hosts close to 3 million Afghans, though over 600,000 have returned home voluntarily or been deported.

The Pakistani government acknowledged the “burden” of hosting the large refugee population and called for “collective responsibility” from the international community. The UN praised Pakistan’s decision to suspend its controversial repatriation program, expressing hope that the extension of PoR cards will provide stability for the refugees.