By 
9-8-2024
Eleni Patlaka
Pakistan Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence
Pakistan’s recent decision to extend the stay of 1.45 million registered Afghan refugees by one year was a positive development, as expressed by the international community, including the United States.
What was the case until recently?
In October 2023, the caretaker government announced plans to repatriate all illegal aliens, a move widely interpreted as targeting Afghan refugees, though officials have denied this claim. The repatriation process began in November 2023 and by August 2024 over 675,000 Afghans had returned to Afghanistan (Mohamad, 2024).
Recent developments
The government halted the repatriation of refugees holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, extending their stay for another year (Mohamad, 2024).
The United States expressed its approval of Pakistan’s actions. During a meeting with Pakistan’s Minister of State and Frontier Areas, Amir Muqam, U.S. Ambassador Donald Blome expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s “long history of hosting Afghan refugees.” Blome also acknowledged the positive steps Pakistan has taken to address protection concerns and facilitate the resettlement of eligible Afghans in the United States. UNHCR also welcomed the extension, stressing that it offered relief to refugees who were facing uncertainty about their future (Mohamad, 2024).
Despite the positive response to the extension, concerns about the future of Afghan refugees in Pakistan remain. While the extension offers temporary relief, the broader issues of undocumented refugees and those holding Afghan citizenship cards remain challenging. The international community, while appreciative of Pakistan’s efforts, remains focused on ensuring that the rights and safety of all Afghan refugees are respected (Khan, 2024).
Sources and further reading:
Khan, T. (2024, July 10). Federal cabinet extends stay of registered Afghan refugees by 1 year. DAWN.COM. Accessed August 9th, 2024 <https://www.dawn.com/news/1845011/federal-cabinet-extends-stay-of-registered-afghan-refugees-by-1-year
Momand., A. (2024, August 9). US envoy appreciates Pakistan’s decision to extend Afghan refugees’ stay. DAWN.COM. Accessed August 9th, 2024 <https://www.dawn.com/news/1851145/us-envoy-appreciates-pakistans-decision-to-extend-afghan-refugees-stay>.
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