Pakistan is expanding its Proof of Registration (POR) card program for Afghan migrants, the country’s Federal Minister Amir Muqam announced during a visit to an Afghan refugee camp in Balochistan.
Speaking at the camp in Saranan, Qila Abdullah, Muqam said that the government is working to restore blocked POR cards after a review process.
The minister urged the international community, including the United Nations and the Taliban, to assist in the repatriation of Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan for years. He also accused Afghan immigrants abroad of engaging in “propaganda” against Pakistan, warning that such actions could complicate the situation for Afghan refugees still residing in the country.
“They must understand that they should not create difficulties for Afghan refugees living in Pakistan,” Muqam said.
During his visit, Muqam acknowledged the poor living conditions in the refugee camps, noting a lack of clean drinking water, medical staff, and medicines. He pledged that the government would address these issues, promising to improve access to drinking water and healthcare for the refugees.
The minister also touched on security concerns, citing recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan. He called on the Taliban to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for attacks against Pakistan or any other country.
Pakistan has implemented a new policy, passed in October 2023, which mandates that all undocumented Afghan migrants leave the country. Since then, nearly 700,000 Afghan migrants have returned to Afghanistan, according to the United Nations. The policy has sparked international criticism, as many Afghans in Pakistan fear for their safety upon returning to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.
