ISLAMABAD: The UN refugee agency will treat only those Afghan nationals as refugees who hold ‘Proof of Registration’ (PoR) cards with validity up to Dec 31, 2015, to become entitled to any service provided by it and its partners, including assistance for voluntary repatriation to Afghanistan.

In a statement issued here on Friday, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said that renewal process of PoR cards would conclude on Dec 31, 2014. In order to continue to be considered as refugees, Afghans holding old PoR cards must get their cards renewed by this date.

The PoR card is an important identity document that allows temporary legal stay to registered Afghans in Pakistan.

The renewal process was started in February at six PoR Card Modification centres in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Haripur, Rawalpindi and Quetta. Since then, the National Database and Registration Authority has renewed and delivered PoR cards to more than 1.2 million Afghans across the country. A further 107,571 cards are yet to be delivered.

The acting UNHCR representative in Pakistan, Maya Ameratunga, said in a statement that the organisation offered its fullest support and cooperation to governments in the region to help Afghan refugees return home freely, re-establish their lives in safety and with dignity, and help rebuild their country.

Published in Dawn December 6th , 2014