Islamabad (TDI): The National Assembly was informed on Wednesday that at least 1.3 million Afghan refugees have been repatriated from Pakistan so far.
Responding to a question raised by MNA Anjum Aqeel Khan, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik said that nearly three million Afghan refugees had been residing in Pakistan. Out of these, 813,000 possess Afghan Citizen Cards, while 1.3 million hold Proof of Registration cards.
He said that under the One Document Regime, Afghan citizens who want to enter Pakistan for medical treatment, education, or business purposes are welcomed, provided they have the appropriate visa and carry all required documents.
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In April, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry had stated that Pakistan set a June 30 deadline for registered Afghan refugees, including Proof of Registration holders, to voluntarily return to their home country.
He said that after the deadline, the government will start formal deportation procedures.
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He said that this is part of Pakistan’s One Document Policy, under which 857,157 undocumented people — most of them Afghans — have been repatriated. Those wishing to return to Pakistan in the future must obtain visas as per global norms.
