The Pakistani authorities have agreed to institute a new protocol for the entry and departure of Afghan people in an effort to improve the efficacy of their surveillance.
The Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) and Proof of Registration (PoR) card, which are essential identity documents carried by nearly 1.3 million refugees, would be turned over to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at the Torkham border, according to the reports.
They also stated that people who choose to return to Afghanistan on their own would receive a voluntary return form along with a grant in Afghanistan.
The National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) would permanently block the cards of those who are brought into custody, according to the sources, while the FIA will punch those who are returning to Afghanistan without the UNHCR’s approval.
They said that the card would not be given back once it has been punched or turned over to the FIA. The new approach aims to increase the efficacy of Afghan citizen monitoring.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has asked for assistance from UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in order to raise sufficient funds to support Pakistan’s initiatives.
The prime minister called on the UN organization to do its part in advocating for long-term solutions to the predicament of the Afghan refugees, such as third-country resettlement and a safe and honorable return and reintegration into their native country.
According to a UNHCR release, Grandi spoke with Afghan refugees in both urban and rural settings while in Pakistan, visiting Peshawar and Haripur.
“People he encountered shared a message of nervousness regarding their situation, but also of their desire to make a difference to their communities in Pakistan, as well as ultimately in Afghanistan.”
The high commissioner requested that the PoR cards be promptly extended, thanked the government for suspending the “Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan,” and asked for guarantees that this measure would stay in place.
He urged Pakistan to uphold its illustrious history of providing hospitality to Afghans under international protection.
Granted the difficulties the nation faces and the remarkable hospitality of the Pakistani government in accommodating Afghan refugees for more than 45 years, Grandi demanded an immediate reset of the aid model in the direction of solutions and responsibility sharing, establishing new alliances and creating creative strategies to deal with the prolonged displacement situation.
The high commissioner committed to working toward a discussion later in the year that will bring together important players, such as government officials, development actors, and business leaders, to create a set of solutions that will help the Afghan community residing in Pakistan as well as the host nation.