ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has approved the stay extension of the Afghan refugees in Pakistan for six months.
A notification in this regard was issued on Wednesday stating that a decision has been taken to bring new policy for Afghan refugees while the federal government had also barred provincial governments from harassments and arrests of Afghan refugees till the arrival of the new policy.
It has been further stated in the notification that the provinces should not take action against Afghan refugees. The current staying limit for Afghan refugees in the country is going to end on June 30.
Sources said that the federal government has taken notice of harassment and arrests of the Afghan refugees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). The KP government has opposed extending the Afghan refugees’ stay in Pakistan.
However, the federal government has instructed the provinces that the Afghan refugees are not to be harassed till the new policy appeared. According to an official source, the government has made a summary to extend the stay of 1.5 million Afghan refugees while the provinces have been directed that no action be taken against the Afghan refugees till the arrival of the new policy and instructions are given to concerned departments regarding the registered refugees.
On the other hand, the summary is pending as the federal cabinet meeting has not been held for a while. United Nation High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is also exerting strong pressure on Pakistan for the extension of the Afghan refugees’ stay.
