Pakistani authorities have decided to implement a new procedure for the arrival and departure of Afghan citizens to enhance monitoring, Presstonight reported on Tuesday, citing sources.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will take custody of Afghan refugees’ Proof of Registration (PoR) card and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) at the Torkham border. For those returning to Afghanistan voluntarily, a voluntary return form will be issued, allowing them to receive a grant upon their return.
Additionally, the FIA will retain and permanently block the cards of those returning without the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) by punching them. Once a card is taken into FIA custody or punched, it will not be returned. This new method aims to make the monitoring of Afghan citizens more effective.
PM Seeks UNHCR Help to Address Refugee Issues
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has sought support from UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi to mobilize adequate resources to supplement Pakistan’s efforts in managing Afghan refugees. During his three-day visit to Pakistan, Grandi met with Afghan refugees in Peshawar and Haripur, noting their anxiety about their situation and their desire to contribute to both Pakistani and Afghan communities.
Grandi called for the timely extension of PoR cards and expressed appreciation for the suspension of the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” urging it to remain on hold. He praised Pakistan’s hospitality towards Afghan refugees over the past 45 years and called for a reset of the aid model towards sustainable solutions and responsibility sharing.
Grandi proposed a dialogue later this year to develop a package of solutions benefiting both the Afghan population in Pakistan and the host country. He committed to efforts to create conditions for sustainable voluntary returns to Afghanistan, including improved material conditions, access to services, job opportunities, and rights.
