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Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Deporting registered Afghans: UNHCR urges Pakistan to reconsider decision
ISLAMABAD: The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has appealed to the federal government, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), Interior ministry and Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) to reconsider its decision to expel over 1.3 million Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration Cards (PoRs) after September 1, 2025. The refugee agency has also expressed grave concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding PoR cards. Sources revealed on Wednesday that UNHCR's senior officials held extensive discussions with MoFA, Interior and SAFRON authorities, urging them to withdraw or review its decision to deport a large number of registered Afghans on humanitarian grounds. A UNHCR official disclosed that SAFRON Ministry had recommended extending the validity of PoR Cards, however, in a surprising move, the Ministry of Interior issued a notification calling for the deportation of registered Afghans. The UNHCR was of the view that all these Afghans are registered with NADRA and no longer threat to the national security of Pakistan, the official added. According to the notification issued on 31st July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. Over the past days, the UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders, said the refugee agency in a statement issued late on Tuesday night. 'We acknowledge and appreciate 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,' the statement added. The UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered. We call on the authorities to ensure that any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, safe and dignified, the statement remarked. The UNHCR has continued to seek an extension of the validity of PoR cards and welcomes the additional one-month 'grace period' that Pakistan has granted. The UNHCR strongly urged the Government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return. We also appeal to Pakistan's established goodwill to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages. UNHCR has expressed its readiness to support the government to establish the necessary mechanisms. The large-scale return of Afghans this year from neighbouring countries has put immense pressure on basic services, housing and livelihoods, and the host communities themselves, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Mass and hasty returns significantly heighten protection needs, and risk instability in Afghanistan and the region, including onward movement. This year, over 2.1 million Afghans have already returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 352,000 from Pakistan, the UNHCR said. According to the official notification, it has been decided that the voluntary return of PoR card holders shall commence forthwith, while the formal repatriation and deportation process will take effect from 1st September 2025. Further, it is also emphasised that the repatriation of illegal foreign nationals, including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, will continue as per the earlier decision under the IFRP. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Muqam denies move to restore FATA status
Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Amir Muqam has clarified that the federal government is not separating the districtsearlier part of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata)from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Monday, Muqam said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has formed a special committee on the merged districts with sincere intentions. The special committee in its inaugural session on July 1 initiated deliberations on revival of the traditional jirga system in former Fata districts, which were merged with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) province in early 2018 through the 25th Constitutional Amendment. During the July 1 meeting, Muqam as the chairman of the committee stressed the need for an alternative justice system rooted in tribal customs but aligned with constitutional principles. The committee also decided to form a sub-committee to draft recommendations and agreed to hold its next session in the K-P's capital, Peshawar. Explaining the background of the development, the minister said in a jirga held during Shehbaz's recent visit to the K-P, tribal elders from the merged districts told the PM about their issues. He said the PM later formed a committee which includes representatives from all relevant parties and tasked it with improving the living conditions of the people in the merged districts. He confirmed that the committee's meeting decided to consult with both current and former parliamentarians on these matters but expressed regret over the opposition's decision to boycott the committee, emphasizing the importance of a unified approach for the development of these areas. He said laws could be improved but emphasized that no new constitutional amendment was being introduced. "The ruling party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is fragmented, and currently, no contacts have been made with any political group - though in politics, anything is possible," he noted. "Decisions will be made in accordance with the aspirations of the people of the merged districts. The committee will engage all stakeholders, including elected representatives, and will work through broad consultations to address tribal concerns and enhance governance in the region," he said. PTI rejects govt's FATA jirga plan The PTI rejected the federal government's "unilateral" decision to introduce reforms in the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), calling it malicious and a violation of constitutional principles. Addressing a press conference at K-P House in Islamabad on Monday, PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan said that the committee formed by the federal government regarding Fata is based on bad faith. "Appointing Amir Muqam as its convener proves it is merely symbolic, as he neither represents Fata nor holds the public mandate from the area," he said. Gohar pointed out that out of 17 MPAs from the merged districts, 14 belong to the PTI yet they were excluded from the committee, which, he said, is a violation of their constitutional and democratic rights. "The PTI rejects this committee and demands its immediate dissolution," he added. K-P former governor Shah Farman stated that during the Fata merger, a promise was made that development funds would be disbursed through locally elected representatives. Unfortunately, he said, that promise was not fulfilled. He noted that Fata MNAs could vote for matters concerning the entire country but not for their own regions, which is deeply regrettable. Farman warned that reviving laws like the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) and restoring settled area privileges is a clear violation of the merger agreement. MNA Iqbal Afridi said globally, the principle is to first provide facilities and funds before imposing taxes. "In contrast, former Fata has been subjected to taxes without any development schemes or resources." Afridi said as a member of the SAFRON Committee, he knew that the committee never held a formal consultation changing Fata's status. Sheikh Waqas Akram said under the guise of "consultation", Fata is being targeted, and the government is trampling constitutional principles. He warned that if decisions are imposed by the government, there will be strong resistance from the people of Fata and the K-P. He said the federal government owes the people of Fata Rs700 billion, which must be fulfilled over the next three years as promised. Otherwise, it will be another betrayal. K-P Provincial Law Minister Aftab Alam Khan presented figures, stating that since 2018, only Rs132 billion has been given to former Fata despite a promise of Rs1,000 billion. He added that even after fencing, peace could not be restored in Fata because when a region is deprived of resources, it moves toward backwardness. At the end of the press conference, the representatives from merged districts adopted a unanimous stance, asserting that any constitutional amendment, if required, must be undertaken by the K-P provincial government. The federal government has no right to interfere. We will form our own jirga, and we will not accept any non-representative decisions, they added.
Business Recorder
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Afghan refugees: Action against valid PoR cards holders refrained
ISLAMABAD: The government has directed all provincial and federal authorities/agencies to refrain from taking any adverse action against registered Afghan refugees holding valid Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, revealed an official document on Saturday. The directive of the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Kashmir Affairs comes following consultations at the federal level regarding the extension of PoR card validity. In a circular issued by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON), addressed to the Ministry of Interior, all Chief Secretaries, Inspectors General of Police, and the Chief Commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, the government urged that no harassment or detention of PoR card holders Afghan Refugees should occur until a final decision is made by the authorities concerned. Afghan refugees stuck in Pakistan as Germany halts entry programme Authorities are directed to instruct all relevant departments and agencies to act accordingly. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
20-02-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
PML-N has delivered on 'its promises'
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan, SAFRON, and President of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Engineer Amir Muqam, has said that under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, PML-N has once again delivered on its promise of development and relief for Pakistan and its people. Addressing a public gathering in Chota Lahore, District Swabi, Muqam said that the government saved Pakistan from default, ensured economic stability, and is now leading the country towards economic growth and prosperity. He added that, by the grace of Allah, inflation, which soared to 40 per cent during PTI's tenure, has now been brought down to four per cent. He credited Nawaz Sharif and Shehbaz Sharif with providing relief to the people by reducing inflation. He emphasized that Nawaz Sharif, Shehbaz Sharif, and PML-N prioritized the nation's welfare over political considerations, rescuing Pakistan and its people from economic disaster. He accused PTI of ruining the economy, embezzling £190 million, and selling expensive foreign gifts in the market for personal profit. He further stated that in 2013, Nawaz Sharif eliminated load-shedding and terrorism from the country, but PTI's tenure brought back both the menaces. He added that from 2013 to 2018, Nawaz Sharif maintained record-low inflation and achieved highest development rates. He accused PTI of introducing a tsunami of corruption in Pakistan and K-P, questioning what change had come to the province after 11 years of PTI rule. He said that while PTI leaders prospered, the people of K-P continued to suffer. Despite changing three chief ministers, PTI only benefited its close allies, leaving the province's people neglected. He claimed that if PML-N had governed K-P, its youth would have received laptops, motorcycles, quality education, and job opportunities just like Punjab. He further stated that under PML-N, the poor in K-P would have received financial aid to build homes under the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar program. Farmers would have been issued Kisan Cards, allowing them to benefit like their counterparts in Punjab. Muqam stated that only Shehbaz Sharif and Maryam Nawaz talk about public service and development.
Express Tribune
31-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
2.9m Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: The Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees apprised the Standing Committee on States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) of the Senate that approximately 2.9 million Afghan nationals were currently residing in Pakistan, of which 1.4 million were registered while 0.7 million were unregistered. The Chief Commissioner presented the empirical data on Afghan refugees during the SAFRON Committee meeting on Friday, chaired by Senator Jan Muhammad Buledi at the Parliament House. The commissioner gave a comprehensive briefing on the current humanitarian assistance being provided to Afghan refugees in Pakistan, covering areas such as shelter, food, water, sanitation, education, and healthcare. The Committee members were further briefed on the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas Programme (RAHA). They were informed that development projects under RAHA were halted in 2024 due to a lack of funding. Senators Saadia Abbasi and Syed Masroor Ahsan stressed over mobilizing international support in funding the projects for Afghan refugees and proper utilization of funds. The Committee directed for a detailed report on the RAAST project.
