Pakistan

Afghan refugees to be issued new smart cards from April 1

Ambassador Sadiq says NADRA to verify, update data of registered refugees in six-month exercise

News Desk March 04, 2021

A file photo of Afghan refugees in Pakistan. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan's Special Representative to Afghanistan Mohammad Sadiq announced on Thursday that Afghan refugees are to be issued new smart cards from April 1.

In a series of tweets, the ambassador stated that, "During the six-month long exercise, NADRA will verify and update the data of the registered Afghan refugees who have the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards with an expiry date of December 31, 2015.

1/4 From 1st April, Afghan refugees would be issued new smart cards. During the six-month long exercise, NADRA will verify and update the data of the registered Afghan refugees who have the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards with an expiry date of December 31, 2015.
— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) March 4, 2021

The special representative said that the initiative had been launched within the framework of the Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees, fostering renewed partnerships and stronger strategic linkages between humanitarian and development investments.

Also read: UNHCR helped Afghan refugees hit by Covid

2/4 The initiative takes place within the framework of the ‘Support Platform for the Solutions Strategy for Afghan Refugees’, fostering renewed partnerships and stronger strategic linkages between humanitarian and development investments.
— Mohammad Sadiq (@AmbassadorSadiq) March 4, 2021

According to Sadiq,”The new smart cards will have renewed proof of identity, enhancing the protection of refugees in Pakistan, and will help facilitate identity authentication making access to services faster, safer and more effective.”

Upon verification of their data, these Afghan refugees will receive new PoR smart cards.

Also read: COAS, British envoy discuss Afghan peace process

Pakistan is one of the largest refugee-hosting nations in the world, home to an estimated three million refugees.

The country is also playing a key role in brokering and facilitating the peace process with its war-torn neighbour, and has been emphasising that there is no military solution to the lingering war in Afghanistan.