by Syed Irfan Raza in Dawn, December 14th, 2023
ISLAMABAD: The caretaker federal cabinet on Wednesday extended a deadline for the repatriation of Afghan nationals who have been residing in the country without proper documentation, but waiting to relocate to Western countries under their respective resettlement plan.
Other significant decisions made by the caretaker cabinet included the formulation of the National Space Policy, establishment of the National Cybercrime Investigation Agency (NCIA), and a telecom tribunal to settle the cases in the sector.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad alongside two other cabinet colleagues, caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi said the decision to extend the deadline from Dec 31 to Feb 29, 2024, was taken to encourage Afghan nationals to “obtain legal documents or finalise evacuation arrangements in a third country as soon as possible”.
According to the new rules and regulations, Afghan nationals who have to leave for a third country and do not have any legal documents or processing fees, would be fined $400 for overstaying in Pakistan instead of the earlier fixed amount of $800.
After the due date, a fine would be imposed at the rate of $100 per month with a maximum limit of $800. The cabinet was informed about 450,000 people had gone back to their native country — the majority voluntarily. ……
https://www.dawn.com/news/1797693/deadline-extended-for-afghan-refugees-in-transit
