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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is a Refugee? Top
A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. Most likely, they cannot return home or is afraid to do so. War and ethnic, tribal and religious violence are leading causes of refugees fleeing their countries.  
   
Is Pakistan signatory to Refugee Convention 1951 or protocol 1967? Top
Pakistan is not a signatory to United Nations Convention 1951 or its Protocol 1967 on Refugees. However, Pakistan has never faltered on its commitment to hosting and helping refugees.
   
Whether Afghan Refugee having no PoR card will be entitled to stay in Pakistan? Top
Afghan Refugee is not entitled to stay in Pakistan without holding PoR  (Proof of Registration) Card or Afghan Citizen Card (ACC), otherwise he/she will be considered as illegal immigrant.
   
Under what law an Afghan National or Foreigner can be charged if he does not contain PoR/ ACC/ Passport? Top
Afghan National or Foreigner having no travel document can be charged under Section 14 of Foreigners Act 1946.
   
Whether Afghan student can apply for higher education in Pakistan? Top
Yes, there are reserved seats for Afghan students in MBBS, Engineering and MBA every year. However, presently there is only one reserved seat for Afghan refugees in Punjab in Rawalpindi medical college (RMC).
   
What is PoR card and how long it is valid? Top
Afghan Refugees were issued Proof of Registration (PoR) Card by NADRA, Government of Pakistan in 2007, and later these PoR cards were extended every year by the Ministry of SAFRON through Notification.Presently PoR card is valid till 30th June 2020.
   
What is ACC and how long it is valid? Top
Undocumented Afghans were issued Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) by  NADRA, Government of Pakistan  during 2017-18, and presently it is valid till 31.10.2019.
   
Whether Afghan Refugee holding PoR card bearing expiry date i.e. 31.12.2015, is entitled to stay in Pakistan? Top
Yes. Ministry of SAFRON, Government of Pakistan extends validity of PoR card every year through Notification, and lastly it was notified on 27th June 2019,extending validity of PoR card till 30th june 2020
   
Whether Afghan having PoR card can modify his/her card? Top
Yes, Afghan Refugees can modify their PoR card from the designated sites of PCM centers or through Mobile registration van (MRV) jointly operated by CAR Punjab , NADRA, UNHCR and MORR. The PCM Center Rawalpindi and MRV  provides following services
  • Corrections to existing PoR cards (e.g. name of the applicant/father/mother/spouse/ dependents age, sex, marital status, photo and address)
  • Additions to existing PoR cards: address, telephone number, photo and new born child
  • Replacement of lost, stolen, faded or damaged PoR cards
  • Issuance of a PoR card to registered children that have turned five years of age
  • Birth Certificate
  
What is the purpose of PoR cards? Top
The PoR card has been issued to Afghan Refugees for identification purpose.
 
How many Refugee camps are in Punjab? Top
There is only one Refugee Camp at Kot Chandna, Mianwali.
   
How many registered Afghan Refugees holding PoR cards are living in Punjab? Top
As per UNHCR statistical data, 164,426 registered Afghan Refugees living in Punjab.
   
How many Afghan Nationals holding ACC in Punjab? Top
As per NADRA data, 88,299 Afghan Nationals holding ACC in Punjab.