ISLAMABAD: The UN refugee agency UNHCR said on Friday it has resumed voluntary repatriation programme for registered Afghan refugees from Pakistan on Friday after the winter break. Pakistan continues to host 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, who are holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, according to the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). Around 4.4 million Afghan refugees have returned to Afghanistan under the UNHCR-facilitated voluntary repatriation program since 2002. She also reaffirmed UNHCR’s commitment to work with the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan on long-term solutions for 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan. On Thursday, Pakistan State Bank announced that registered Afghan refugees can now open bank accounts in Pakistan following the decision by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Source: Pakistan Today March 01, 2019 16:51 UTC