UNHCR welcomes extension of stay for Afghan refugees in Pakistan
This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Adrian Edwards – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
UNHCR welcomes Pakistan's renewal of its commitment to providing protection and safety for over 1.6 million registered Afghan refugees.
Pakistan's new minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), Abdul Qadir Baloch, announced on Friday at a tripartite meeting with the Government of Afghanistan and UNHCR in Kabul that his country would extend refugee cards for Afghans, known as proof of registration (PoR) cards. The cards had been due to expire on June 30.
Pakistan remains the world's largest refugee hosting nation, and has generously hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of 1979.
The announcement by the States and Frontier Regions minister comes as Pakistan is finalizing a new national policy for Afghan refugees. The new policy is expected to be adopted soon by the Cabinet and includes recommendations for extension of PoR cards and continuation of a tri-partite arrangement between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and UNHCR governing voluntary returns of Afghan refugees.
UNHCR looks forward to the adoption of the new policy, as it provides a domestic framework for Pakistan's commitment to implement in letter and spirit the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees - a regional policy arrangement between the governments of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and UNHCR to find solutions for one of the world's largest and most protracted refugee situations. The strategy, endorsed by an international gathering in Geneva in May 2012, supports repatriation, sustainable reintegration and assistance to host countries.
Extension of PoR cards will help end current uncertainty among Afghan refugees in Pakistan over their status. As an interim measure, we are encouraged to see an instruction from Minister Baloch's office sent to various authorities in Pakistan, including law enforcement authorities, asking them to respect existing refugee cards until the Cabinet decides on the new national policy, including extension of PoR cards.
UNHCR remains engaged with the governments of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan in facilitating voluntary returns and managing the stay of Afghan refugees, who need continued international protection in neighbouring countries. We also work to support the sustainable reintegration of Afghans who decide to voluntarily return to their country. In Pakistan, UNHCR and our partners remain engaged to develop infrastructure and improve services in refugee-affected and hosting areas, where communities have lived together with Afghan refugees for over three decades now.
As voluntary returns continue to take place, UNHCR is considering an increase in the return grant from US$150 to $200 for each Afghan refugee returning home, paid inside Afghanistan. Since 2002, UNHCR's voluntary repatriation programme has helped nearly 4.8 million Afghans return home (3.8 million from Pakistan and around a million from Iran). Around 22,000 Afghans have returned home from Pakistan so far this year.
For more information on this topic, please contact:
- In Kabul: Mohammad Nader Farhad on mobile +93 791 990018
- In Islamabad: Duniya Aslam Khan on mobile +92 300 5017939
- In Geneva: Babar Baloch on mobile +41 79 557 9106
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Your search for « PoR cards » matched 149 results. Displaying page 11 of 17 pages.
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DAFI Annual Report 2014
5 Jan 2016 ... ... With their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, they are not required to have a work permit to obtain employment. Course of Study Course of Study F M Total Mathematics & Computer Science 6 26 32 ...... -
No. 39: In Harm's Way: International protection in the context of nexus dynamics between conflict or violence and disaster or climate change
Dec 2018 ... ... included the authority to grant a temporary so-called “visitor card for humanitarian reasons” (Tarjeta de Visitante por Razones Humanitarias) to, inter alia, asylum-seekers and persons faced ...... Attachments: In Harm's Way - Overview (.pdf) -
In Harm's Way: International Protection in the Context of Nexus Dynamics Between Conflict or Violence and Disaster or Climate Change
Dec 2018 ... ... included the authority to grant a temporary so-called “visitor card for humanitarian reasons” (Tarjeta de Visitante por Razones Humanitarias) to, inter alia, asylum-seekers and persons faced ...... -
Multi-Purpose Cash and Sectoral Outcomes. A review of evidence and learning- Full report
Jun 2018 ... ... and Iran: registered Afghan refugees residing in Pakistan holding a Proof of Registration (PoR) card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) with an expiry date of 31 ...... -
DAFI Annual Report 2013
5 Jan 2016 ... ... Registered Afghans can stay in Pakistan under the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which have been extended until 31 December 2015. • Assisted 30,000 Afghans with repatriation. • The Solutions ...... -
Regional update: Asia and Pacific
15 Sep 2021 ... ... In the Islamic Republic of Iran, a new policy allows refugees who hold Amayesh cards to access ... By 29 August, DRIVE had verified 459,450 refugees and distributed 98,377 proof of registration (PoR) ...... -
Ecuador: Start of pilot refugee registration scheme
12 Dec 2008 ... in the capital, Quito, as well as facilities to print documentation cards for recognized refugees. ... The celebration marked the close of the UNHCR-led Corre por la Vida (Running for Life) campaign to ...... -
Vac�os en la protecci�n: Marco de an�lisis - Mejorando la protecci�n de los refugiados: Proyecto para el Fortalecimiento de la Capacidad de Protecci�n, 2008
1 Jan 2008 ... ... > Si existen restricciones, ¿cuáles son y por qué se imponen? l ¿Se aplican esas ... rights (e.g. work permits, identity/residence cards, quotas, freedom of movement)? > ¿Qué ...... -
2018 Burundi Regional Refugee Response Plan - January - December 2018
Dec 2017 ... ... issuance of Proof of Registration (PoR), and advocacy with the Government for civil status registration and the issuance of documentation, including national identity cards to all recognized refugees. ......