Pakistan extends stay for Afghan refugees by three months
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 September 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan extends stay for Afghan refugees by three months, 9 September 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/58189d5c24.html [accessed 27 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 09, 2016
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has extended the stay for Afghan refugees in the country until March 2017, pushing back the previous deadline by three months.
Sharif approved this decision at a September 9 cabinet meeting.
A government statement quoted Sharif as saying that Afghan refugees were "guests" of Pakistan and that measures will be taken to ensure their safety.
The announcement comes as Afghan refugees accuse Pakistani authorities of harassment before the expiration of the previous December 31 deadline.
Pakistan is hosting at least 1.5 million refugees. An additional 1 million unregistered Afghans have been staying in the country since the 1980s, when they fled the violence at home.
In a June statement, the Pakistani government said Sharif had ordered the authorities to work with the UN refugee agency and the Afghan government to gradually relocate the refugee camps from Pakistan to Afghanistan.
Islamabad says a number of militants are hiding in the camps.
Based on reporting by RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
