Over 500,000 refugees returned to Afghanistan since April 1: Pak Interior Ministry

Peshawar: Over 500,000 refugees have returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan since April 1 this year, a Pakistan Interior Ministry report said on Wednesday.

As many as 562,659 refugees, including 40,221 with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), have returned to Afghanistan since the Pakistani government implemented a phased plan for the return of undocumented and temporarily staying Afghan nationals, the report said.

The repatriation process has been accelerated, with facilities arranged at border points to assist departing refugees, the report said.

The first phase focused on Proof of Registration (POR) and ACC holders, with the deadline for Afghan refugees holding POR cards to stay in Pakistan set for June 30.

The Ministry of Interior said the stay period would expire on July 1, and any illegal Afghan found to be staying beyond the deadline would invite legal action per the law.