‘3m Afghan refugees’ residing in Pakistan
An Afghan family, who were living as refugees in Pakistan, carries bundles of supplies at a humanitarian aid station in Torkham, Afghanistan. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Out of nearly three million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan, only 1.5 million of them were registered, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Human Rights was told on Wednesday.
Briefing the committee members on the current status of Afghan refugees, Chief Commissioner Afghan Refugees Saleem Khan revealed there was no record of 700,000 Afghans currently residing in the country.
He said the undocumented refugees remain unidentified and unregistered at any level. “This is a major security issue,” he added.
Expressing grave concerns over the matter, the committee sought complete details of refugees spread across the country.
There are nearly three million documented and undocumented Afghan refugees in Pakistan, making it the largest refugee population in the world after the Syrians in Turkey.
Meanwhile, the committee unanimously passed the Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2021.
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The committee passed the much-awaited bill with amendments, under which a 14-member commission will be formed for the protection of journalists. Headed by a chairman appointed by the government, the commission will comprise media representatives.
The law will offer journalists the right to carry out their work without threat, intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution or targeting.
Under the bill, the government would take all possible steps to protect journalists and media professionals from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation at the hands of any person, institution or authority.