Pakistan extends refugee status for Afghans

Published June 28, 2013
File photo shows Afghan refugees at a registration center of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) near Peshawar. There are currently 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.—File Photo
File photo shows Afghan refugees at a registration center of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) near Peshawar. There are currently 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan.—File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The United Nations says Pakistan has extended refugee status for over a million Afghans living in the country. It was set to expire June 30.

The UN’s refugee agency said Friday Pakistan agreed to extend their status while it comes up with a new policy.

Pakistan has been hosting Afghan refugees dating back to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan three decades ago.

There are 1.6 million Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Many Pakistanis have become frustrated with the length of time the Afghans have stayed and want them to leave.

Pakistan has said it will not forcibly evict Afghans. However, revoking their refugee status would encourage people to return to Afghanistan.

Refugee status allows Afghans to get a government ID card that they use for everyday activities like banking or registering for school.

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