Afghan refugees’ PoR cards to be extended till 2017

Published September 10, 2015
Ratwatte says that 290,000 Afghan refugees had been living in Balochistan in urban areas and refugee villages.—unhcr.org
Ratwatte says that 290,000 Afghan refugees had been living in Balochistan in urban areas and refugee villages.—unhcr.org

QUETTA: The Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Indrika Ratwatte, has said that the government of Pakistan has agreed to extend the validity of PoR cards till Dec 31, 2017.

During a meeting with Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai here on Wednesday, he said that in the tripartite meeting held in Kabul, the Pakistan officials had informed the Afghan authorities and the UNHCR that pending inter-ministerial deliberations and a decision by the cabinet, the validity of the PoR (Proof of Registration) cards had been recommended to be extended till Dec 31, 2017.

He said the meeting was also informed that every effort would be made to avoid any gap in registration status in line with the government of Pakistan’s policy on voluntary repatriation and management of Afghan nationals beyond 2015.

He apprised the governor of the UNCHR’s RAHA programme and its implementation.

Mr Ratwatte during a talk with journalists said that at present 290,000 Afghan refugees had been living in Balochistan in urban areas and refugee villages.

In reply to a question about refugees’ involvement in criminal and terrorist activities, Mr Ratwatte said that blaming Afghan refugees for all sorts of crimes taking place in the province or other parts of the country was unfair.

“A majority of the refugees are indeed contributing to the development of the region and they deserve to be treated with compassion and humility,” he said.

Mr Ratwatte said the UNHCR was currently implementing RAHA projects in eight districts of Balochistan with the objective of maintaining social cohesion through community development, improved livelihood and local economies, restoration of social services and infrastructure and restoration of environment.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play

Opinion

Editorial

Maulana’s message
Updated 11 Mar, 2025

Maulana’s message

The problem now is that most jihadi fighters, ideologues refuse to end their "struggle" on advice of state or mainstream clerics.
President’s speech
11 Mar, 2025

President’s speech

PRESIDENT Asif Zardari, addressing Monday’s joint session of parliament to mark the start of a new parliamentary...
Indian takeover
11 Mar, 2025

Indian takeover

BY the time the Champions Trophy final ended, the only indicators that the tournament had been hosted by Pakistan...
Mosquito season
10 Mar, 2025

Mosquito season

AS temperatures rise, the threat of dengue looms large over Pakistan. Its warning signs have already arrived. Dengue...
Reckless rhetoric
10 Mar, 2025

Reckless rhetoric

ONCE again, the Indian leadership gave in to their worst impulses, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar...
Water scarcity
Updated 10 Mar, 2025

Water scarcity

The need to meet climate challenge is even greater when Pakistan is prone to multiple disastrous events at the same time.