Latest news with #IFRP
News18
5 days ago
- Politics
- News18
Pakistan's Move To Deport Afghan Refugees By Sept 1 Raises Concern From UNHCR
According to Pakistan's Interior Ministry, over 1.3 million Afghan refugees currently hold PoR cards, which have historically allowed them to stay in Pakistan without a valid visa. However, in a statement released last week, the Ministry declared that all PoR cardholders would be considered unlawful residents following the expiration of their documents. Afghans who have fled to Pakistan over the past four decades are currently allowed to reside with PoR cards issued by Pakistani authorities. These cards were valid until June 30, 2025, and the government has refused to renew them anymore. The refugees will now be allowed a 25-day 'grace period" from August 4 to August 31, to return voluntarily to Afghanistan, according to Lateef-ur-Rehman, spokesperson for the Home and Tribal Affairs Department. In a letter dated August 4, the Interior Ministry instructed provincial chief secretaries, police chiefs, and other top bureaucratic officials to begin implementing the IFRP. The ministry also requested local authorities to submit comprehensive data on PoR cardholders to provincial, divisional, and district-level repatriation committees. As reported by PTI, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will assist in identifying and processing deportees.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan to repatriate over 1.3 million Afghans with PoR cards from Sept. 1
The Pakistan government has decided to repatriate over 1.3 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration cards from September 1, a media report said on Wednesday (August 6, 2025). The efforts to send back Afghan refugees began in 2023 when the government announced to expel all illegal aliens. According to government sources, so far about 800,000 Afghan citizens have been repatriated. The Dawn newspaper reported that the federal government has informed the provinces that the formal repatriation and deportation of over 1.3 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will begin on September 1. The decision follows the Interior Ministry's announcement on July 31 that PoR cardholders — the last category of Afghans legally residing in Pakistan without visas — became unlawful residents after their cards expired on June 30. A letter from the Interior Ministry, dated August 4, was sent to the Chief Secretaries and police chiefs of the four provinces, as well as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Gilgit-Baltistan, regarding the implementation of the ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP). 'It has been decided that the voluntary return of PoR cardholders shall commence forthwith, while the formal repatriation and deportation process will take effect from September 1, 2025,' the letter said. Besides, the Ministry said that repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, would continue as per the earlier decision under the IFRP. In the letter, the authorities in PoK were instructed to provide databases of PoR cardholders to provincial, divisional and district committees. The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) will facilitate the deregistration of returning Afghans at transit areas and border terminals, with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) supporting repatriation at designated border crossings, it said. The Ministry also directed provincial governments and relevant agencies to map all PoR cardholders and devise action plans for repatriation. It called for designated transit areas for deportees, along with transportation and financial arrangements. Official sources told Dawn that Pakistani authorities had informed their Afghan counterparts earlier in March this year that PoR cards would not be extended beyond June 30, 2025. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), over 1.3 million Afghans were living in Pakistan as of June 30, 2025. Of this, over half (717,945) were in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while 326,584 resided in Balochistan, 195,188 in Punjab, 75,510 in Sindh, and 43,154 in Islamabad. In 2004-05, the Pakistan government, with assistance from the UNHCR, issued PoR cards to Afghan refugees, and in 2016, Afghan Citizenship Cards (ACC) were introduced through an amendment to the Foreigners Act 1946. Meanwhile, the UNHCR, in a statement, expressed concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding PoR cards. 'Over the past days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders,' it said. The U.N. agency said it acknowledged and appreciated Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges. However, given that those holding PoR cards have been recognised as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, according to The Dawn.
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Afghan card holders to be deported from Sept 1
Police officers, along with workers from the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), check the identity cards of Afghan citizens during a door-to-door search and verification drive for undocumented Afghan nationals, in an Afghan Camp on the outskirts of Karachi, Pakistan, November 21, 2023. Photo: Reuters Listen to article The interior ministry has initiated a process for the voluntary repatriation of Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, setting September 1 as the starting date for formal deportations, Radio Pakistan reported. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting on Tuesday held under the ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), citing security concerns and the increasing strain on national resources. A notification from the ministry confirmed that registered PoR card holders—whose documents expired on June 30, 2025—will officially be repatriated from next month. The home ministry had previously allowed PoR holders to remain in Pakistan until June 30 as part of an earlier extension, but since then over 1.3 million people have been returned home. Also Read: Govt invites opposition for dialogue on 26th Amendment More than 800,000 Afghans hold an Afghan Citizen Card in Pakistan, according to UN data. Another roughly 1.3 million are formally registered with the Pakistan government and hold a separate Proof of Residence card. In total, Pakistan hosted around 2.8 million Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. Meanwhile, figures from UN agencies show roughly 1.3 million refugees remain, mostly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistan launched the IFRP in November 2023, initially targeting undocumented immigrants and Afghan Citizen Card holders. Since then, about 1.3 million Afghans have been repatriated, but approximately 1.6 million remain in the country—many hoping for a policy change. Also Read: Dying Delta: Pakistan's Indus sinks and shrinks Afghan refugees have responded with alarm: many own assets or businesses built over decades and fear forced sales at minimal prices should extensions not be granted. Despite legal challenges, including a recent request rejected by the Islamabad High Court for a stay on repatriation of PoR holders, the government has maintained its stance. The court had affirmed the June 30 deadline as per policy. In an effort to ease the pressure, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry hinted at a forthcoming visa policy for foreign nationals, which would provide investment incentives—an opportunity Afghan residents may be eligible for should they choose to remain. International entities, including the UNHCR, IOM, and Amnesty International, have expressed serious concern over the scale and humanitarian impact of the expedited repatriation campaign. Critics warn that forced returns could violate the principle of non-refoulement, imperil vulnerable populations, and destabilise regional security.
BBC News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Stormont: MLAs approve new body to set their salaries
A law to set up a new panel for setting the salaries of Northern Ireland Assembly members (MLAs) has passed its final stage at bill will create an independent remuneration board to determine the salaries and pensions of was passed with support from the main Stormont some MLAs criticised the bill, arguing it would lead to assembly members receiving significant pay rises. How much are MLAs paid? MLAs earn £53,000 a year, which is less than their counterparts in the UK's other devolved legislatures in Scotland and of the Scottish Parliament receive £74,507 while members of the Welsh Parliament earn £76, Westminster, MPs earn £93,904 a year while members of the Dáil (lower house of the Irish parliament) earn €113,679 (£94,537).The wages and expenses of MLAs were previously set by the Independent Financial Review Panel (IFRP).But the terms of its three members ended in 2016 and they were never at the time took issue with some of the rules the panel imposed, including limits on salaries for constituency office staff and other matters such as office Assembly Members (Remuneration Board) Bill will establish a new panel with the sole remit of setting MLAs' pay and pension bill was backed by the Assembly Commission, a body which handles the running of Parliament Buildings and involves representatives of Stormont's main the IFRP, the new panel is expected to take into account other jurisdictions when setting MLA salaries. TUV and PBP criticise bill The bill was passed on Monday with just two MLAs voicing their opposition in the assembly Unionist Voice (TUV) MLA Timothy Gaston said the bill had been marked by "secrecy, self-interest and indeed plenty of spin".He said there was no "proper public consultation" on the bill."In reality, it is nothing more than a vehicle to enable MLAs to award themselves a substantial pay rise," he said."This isn't about reform. It's a loaded dice. A guaranteed upward trajectory."People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll described the bill as "tone deaf".He raised concerns over former MLAs being able to sit on the "so-called independent panel". The assembly member also criticised how a newly established board will not set rules on MLA expenses."Executive parties have proven time and time again they can't be trusted to oversee their own expenses," he said."Members can continue to deny that this bill will entail a massive pay increase. I say you're taking the public for absolute fools."Sinn Féin MLA Sinéad Ennis, the party's representative on the Assembly Commission, said there was "no good time to deal with these issues".But she there had been "misunderstandings and inaccuracies" over the bill which had been "regurgitated" during the said the commission has been focused "on the process of determining members' salaries, not the outcome". Ennis said the board would have "independence in deciding what factors it wants to consider before determining its view on the appropriate level of salaries and pensions".Andy Allen, an Ulster Unionist Party MLA and member of the Assembly Commission, said the legislation was a "technical" bill."In passing this bill, the assembly is fulfilling its responsibility to regularise the position and provide legal clarity," he said the "core purpose of this bill is to ensure that salaries of members are determined independently"."It is difficult to see how anyone could reasonably object to that."
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pakistan warns Afghan citizens, illegal foreigners to leave voluntarily
Pakistan on Wednesday (June 11, 2025) warned Afghan citizens and all illegal foreigners to voluntarily leave the country and issued a stern warning against those obstructing the repatriation process. 'Dignified treatment is being ensured for those returning to their home countries,' a statement by the Interior Ministry said, adding that arrangements have been made for their food and healthcare needs, particularly for women, children, and the elderly. Earlier this year, the Interior Ministry asked all 'illegal foreigners' and Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave Pakistan before March 31, warning that they would otherwise be deported from April 1. ACC is a document launched in 2017 to grant temporary legal status to Afghan refugees. Authorities subsequently started deporting thousands of Afghan nationals from all parts of the country. A total of 11,02,441 illegal foreigners have been sent back since the launch of the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Programme (IFRP) on April 1, 2025, according to the Interior Ministry's statement. The statement also warns individuals against 'employing illegal foreigners, providing them rental accommodations or hotel stays, or engaging in business with them.' 'Such violators will be dealt with strictly in accordance with the law,' the Ministry added. Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees who crossed the border during 40 years of conflict in their homeland. Since November 2023, Pakistan has repatriated approximately 1.3 million Afghan refugees in the deportation drive launched. Around 3 million Afghan refugees were residing in Pakistan. Of these, 8,13,000 hold ACC cards while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, officials have said earlier.
