QUETTA: The government has decided to allow those Afghan refugees whose proof of registration (PoR) cards expired on June 30 to stay in Pakistan.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) officials said here on Monday that the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions had assured the agency that these people would continue to be protected as refugees even after the expiry of their registration cards.

“Registered Afghans are living in Pakistan legally and no action will be taken against them under the Foreigners Act,” they said.

Through a notification issued on Saturday, the federal government instructed all relevant departments of the provinces not to take any action against the Afghan refugees whose cards had expired on June 30.

“The government is expected to announce an official extension soon after its approval by the federal cabinet,” the UNHCR officials said.

The PoR cards were renewed by the National Database and Registration Authority in 2010-11.