The future of more than 1.4 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan remains uncertain as their legal stay ends today. These refugees hold Proof of Registration (POR) cards, which officially expire this Monday. Yet, the federal cabinet has not received any summary seeking an extension.
Government sources say that a proposal is under discussion. Authorities may grant Afghan nationals a three to six-month extension. But despite growing urgency, neither the Ministry of Interior nor the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) has moved the summary forward.
Last year, the government extended the POR cards for one year. That decision was praised by humanitarian groups and the global community. However, that grace period now ends without any new approval in place.
A senior official, who spoke off the record, confirmed that talks are ongoing. But no formal summary has reached the cabinet yet. “Time is short. Without approval, these Afghan migrants have no legal right to stay beyond today,” the official warned.
The POR card system was launched in 2006 with help from the UNHCR. It records Afghan displaced persons who entered Pakistan during different phases of war. While the card gives temporary legal status, it does not provide permanent residency or citizenship.
Pakistan has long hosted Afghan asylum seekers, with millions entering over the past 40 years. These migrations happened during various periods of conflict inside Afghanistan. But since 2023, the return of undocumented Afghans has sped up. Many have been sent back, either voluntarily or through government action.
The idea to extend the legal stay of POR card holders came up again recently. Officials from key ministries met to discuss it. International organisations are urging Pakistan to act with compassion. They stress that Afghanistan remains unstable and unsafe.
For now, the fate of these Afghan refugees in Pakistan is in limbo. Their legal status depends on a decision that has yet to be made.