A senior UN official has urged Pakistan to resolve the status of more than 2.5 million Afghan refugees living in Pakistan whose registration cards have expired or who remain unregistered.
While Europe has grappled with the exodus of people from Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, Pakistan hosts the world’s largest long-term refugee population, according to the UNHCR, most of whom are Afghans who have fled more than three decades of war.
In December, registration cards providing temporary legal stay to more than 1.5 million Afghan refugees expired. They were granted a six-month extension by the government but Afghans say they are hassled by police for carrying the expired cards.
Members of the estimated one million Afghans who are still unregistered also face difficulties with the authorities, aid workers say.
The issue is now before Pakistan’s cabinet.
People have hosted (the Afghan refugees) for over 35 years. But there is definitely some host fatigue.Imran Zeb, Chief Commissioner for Afghan Refugees, Pakistan
The government is trying to improve education and opportunities for the 70 percent of the refugees who are under 25 so they “can do something positive” and not fall into crime or recruitment by “elements that are not desirable,” he said.
With security in Afghanistan deteriorating over the past year, many of the Afghans living in the Kalabat area have no interest in going home anytime soon.
We have no option... We don’t have land. Where should we go? When the war is finished, then we’ll go.Jawalai, Afghan refugee
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