ISLAMABAD: In the wake of recent border clashes with Afghanistan, Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior has convened a high-level meeting to deliberate on the legal status, continued stay and potential repatriation of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan under PoR (Proof of Registration) cards.
The session aims to review the situation of over 1.3 million Afghan refugees, of whom more than 1 million have returned to Afghanistan voluntarily since September 2023.
The meeting is being chaired jointly by the Ministry of Interior and the Narcotics Control Division and includes senior officials from NADRA, chief secretaries of all four provinces, IGs, representatives from Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, the Director General of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad, and key members of Pakistan’s security agencies.
Its primary objective is to formulate a comprehensive strategy regarding the legal status, continued residence, or repatriation of PoR card holders.
The urgency of the meeting coincides with significant escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Afghan Taliban forces recently attacked Pakistani military posts, resulting in numerous casualties, while Pakistan responded with airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika targeting TTP leaders, including Noor Wali Mehsud.
Afghan Taliban condemned the strikes and retaliated. The clashes led to the temporary closure of key border crossings, including Torkham and Chaman, disrupting trade, civilian movement, and humanitarian flows between the two countries.
Regarding Afghan PoR card holders, current estimates indicate that approximately 1.3 million individuals reside in Pakistan under this status. Since September 2023, nearly 1 million Afghan nationals have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan.
The Interior Ministry is expected to outline measures for the verification and management of PoR card holders, coordinating with NADRA and issuing instructions to relevant agencies for immediate implementation. The meeting is likely to address the extension or cancellation of PoR card validity, legal procedures, and structured repatriation measures.
The recent escalation along the border has intensified scrutiny over Afghan refugees in Pakistan. The Interior Ministry’s high-level meeting signals a focused approach to balancing national security concerns with refugee management.
The decisions taken could have long-term implications for the legal status of Afghan PoR card holders, internal security policies, and bilateral relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
