Cold climate in safe havens: K-P govt reluctant to let Afghans stay

Official duration of stay expires on June 23

PESHAWAR: The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has expressed reluctance over the extension on stay of Afghan refugees whose Proof of Registration (PoR) cards are to expire on June 23.

Talking to The Express Tribune, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Spokesperson Dunya Aslam Khan said UNHCR has sent a proposal to the Pakistani government for the refugees’ stay extension till 2017, and is awaiting an approval of the cabinet.

She added the tense political climate between Pakistan and Afghanistan, indeed, affects the displaced Afghans, but no such incidents have been reported by the refugees.

She said the recent Pak-Afghan border issues have not affected the activities of UNHCR and they have not received any complaints from refugees regarding the situation.



However, Kohat district administration has decided to order a ban on Afghan refugee businesses in the area after the PoR cards will expire on June 23.

A government official, requesting anonymity, said the K-P government has reviewed a new policy which concerns the businesses and other activities of Afghan refugees across the province.

According to the official, law-enforcement agencies have also encouraged for a ban on the businesses and activities of Afghans in their reports to the federal government, and expressed support for no more extensions.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 17^th, 2016.