Peshawar: The government is taking steps to review its policy on Afghan refugees, according to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari. The Apex Committee, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has made a decision to regulate the arrival of Afghan nationals and arrest and deport those living in the country illegally.
The IGP emphasized that Afghan refugees with valid documentation, such as a UN Proof of Registration (POR) card, will not be affected by the new policy. However, illegal Afghan refugees do not have the right to stay in Pakistan.
Under the new policy, Afghan nationals will have to inform the police about their place of stay and provide a local guarantor for their visa and stay. The police and FIA will regularly check that they are residing at the reported address.
Ansari stated that the goal of the policy review is to regulate Afghan refugees, as many do not return to Afghanistan after their visas expire. The new policy will also regulate asylum seekers under UNHCR, Afghan refugees with refugee cards, and Afghan citizens on visas.
“There is no justification for Afghan refugees to be living illegally in Pakistan without a passport and visa. Such individuals will be arrested and deported,” said Ansari.
Regarding the recent bombing in Peshawar, Ansari reported that the police are close to identifying those responsible and expect to make important progress in the case soon.
