PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has barred law enforcement agencies from harassing or deporting Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (POR) cards by issuing a three-page written order authored by Justice Waqar Ahmed.
During the hearing, the court was informed that the validity of POR cards extends until June 30, 2025, and the federal government has not yet decided to expel cardholders. The petitioner’s counsel argued that despite this, authorities have been illegally harassing registered Afghan refugees.
Over 5,600 Afghans repatriated via Torkham in a single day
Barrister Sarwar Shah, representing the petitioners, stated, “The government itself has permitted POR cardholders to stay until June 2025, yet they are being subjected to undue pressure.” He clarified that while the state has decided to deport undocumented Afghans, registered refugees with valid POR cards are also facing harassment.
The court’s written order strictly directed all law enforcement agencies to cease intimidation of POR cardholders and uphold their legal status until the official deadline.
On Wednesday, another batch of 5,677 individuals returned to Afghanistan through the Torkham border According to the latest official figures the group included 2,547 holders of Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) and 3,130 undocumented immigrants.