Pakistan again extended stay of 1.3m illegal immigrants till March 2024

The federal cabinet has approved the summary of extension of the stay of 1.3 million immigrants residing illegaly in Pakistan.

The extension of ‘ proof of residence card ‘ was approved on the summary of the Ministry of Saffron (Ministry of States and Frontier Regions).

The federal cabinet extended the stay of Afghan refugees till March 2024 has been approved.

The Cabinet Division had earlier returned the Saffron ministry’s summary with objection. The decision to extend was made on the recommendation of the coordination cell related to Afghanistan.

Pakistan once again showed generosity and approved the request of the Afghan government. Due to the non-approval of the extension, the stay of the refugees had become illegal.

On November 9, 2023 , the Government of Pakistan has allowed  1.304 million  afghan refugees to stay in the country till the end of ongoing year, as the Federal Cabinet has extended their Proof of Registration (PoR) cards/certificates till December 31, 2023.

The Federal Cabinet through circulation has granted extension in Proof of Registration (PoR) cards/certificates of Afghan refugees for six months from July 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

United Nations estimates that nearly 3.7 million Afghans reside in Pakistan, while Pakistani authorities believe the number to be as high as 4.4 million.