Quetta: One day workshop with the title of “Refugee Protection and International law” was organized by United Nations High Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) in Pishin District, on Friday.
A large number of officers from police and levies attended the workshop which was addressed by UNHCR Balochistan officials, Deputy Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner of Pishin district Balochistan.
Senior Field Officer UNHCR Mohammad Ali, the Assistant Protection Officer Aymal Kakar delivered a brief presentation on Refugees status in Balochistan. The workshop was told that Afghan refugees hold Proof of Registration (PoR) cards and are currently considered as refugees on a prima facie basis.
Pursuant to a new refugee policy approved by the Cabinet on 25 July 2013, PoR cards were extended until 31 December 2015 and refugees were issued with new cards to this effect during early 2014. A Cabinet Committee has been established to oversee implementation of the new policy and the extension of PoR card till 30th June 2016.
In the presentations the UNHCR Balochistan officials shared that UNHCR has been making its best to provide facilities to Afghan Refugees including health, education, water and sanitation and vocational training,” the participants were informed. The workshop focused to aware law and enforcement officials and law experts about rights given to Afghan Refugees under the national and International law.
Assistant Commissioner Pishin said that due to lack of awareness and law about the Afghan refugees, the government administration and some other stakeholders face some difficulties in dealing with matters related to the refugees. “Under Afghan Management and Repatriation Strategy, sub-committees have been constituted to compile recommendations,” adding that the future plan would be devised and steps be taken in the light of these recommendations.
Earlier, UNHCR Balochistan officials mentioned that from 2002 to 2015, UNHCR has assisted around 630,000 individuals’ return to Afghanistan to allow them to build a new life there.
Since 2009, UNHCR has supported the Refugee Affected and Hosting Areas (RAHA) initiative, working alongside the Government of Pakistan, UN sister agencies, and non-governmental partners.
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