PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court PHC has advised a group of Pakistani women to take their case directly to NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority) regarding the citizenship status of their Afghan husbands.
The women stated that their husbands, who are Afghan citizens, have applied for Pakistan Origin Cards (POC) from NADRA, but the cards have not been issued yet.
In a written decision, Justice Waqar Ahmed referred to a previous case where a NADRA official assured the court that children of a couple cannot be denied registration if even one parent is Pakistani.
The court directed the petitioners to approach NADRA, ordering the authority to process their applications according to the law. The court also instructed that the petitioners’ husbands should not be deported until a final decision is made. This new case will be handled based on the principles set in a previous ruling from December 1, 2023.
Also read; Afghan Consul General, CM Bugti discuss refugee repatriation
Last week acting Consul General of Afghanistan in Quetta, Maulvi Muhammad Habib Nasir, met with Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti to discuss the repatriation and dignified return of Afghan refugees from the province.
During the meeting, CM Bugti said the Balochistan government was effectively implementing the national policy on the repatriation of foreigners. He assured that the provincial administration was extending maximum support to Afghan refugees returning home and had already instructed officials to give special care to the elderly, women and children.
Bugti added that the provincial government was in constant contact with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to ensure that the repatriation process moved forward with dignity and compassion. “Our traditions are based on respect for humanity and brotherhood,” he said. “We regard Afghan women as our mothers and sisters, and we have strictly directed our administration to ensure that no refugee faces hardship or mistreatment during the return process.”
The chief minister announced that the government had appointed senior officer Muhammad Fareedun as the focal person to oversee local administrative matters and coordination. He said the appointment would ensure smooth facilitation of refugees, quick resolution of any problems, and uninterrupted progress of the repatriation process.
Bugti emphasised that the return of Afghan refugees would take place gradually and with dignity. He assured that the provincial government would continue to provide every possible humanitarian support throughout the process.
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He said the dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees served the best interests of both Balochistan and Afghanistan.
Member of the Provincial Assembly Engineer Zamrak Khan Achakzai and civil society representative Alauddin Khilji also attended the meeting.
