K-P government warns Afghan refugees to leave Pakistan or face arrest

The Home Department has set December 31, 2012 as deadline to leave country, no extension will be given.

PESHAWAR: The Home Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Thursday warned unregistered Afghan refugees and illegally residing foreigners to immediately leave Pakistan, otherwise strict legal action would be taken against them.    

According to a press release issued on Thursday by the department, all Afghan refugees, who do not possess Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards and other travelling documents, should leave Pakistan or face arrest.

Afghan refugees carrying PoR Cards have also been warned to windup their activities and businesses by December 31, 2012 and start preparations for their departure because no Afghan refugee would be granted permission to stay in Pakistan after December 31 this year.

The Home Department, while clarifying a news item regarding granting time to unregistered Afghan refugees for their volunteer repatriation, attributed to Government of Pakistan, made it clear that no relaxation regarding extension of time has been given to unregistered and illegal Afghan refugees besides others foreigners and warned all of them to leave the country.