Pakistan has announced a six-week assisted repatriation period from March 1 to April 15 for Afghans living in Pakistan who did not take part in the recent registration and thus do not have Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, an official statement said. Afghans without PoR cards will be able to repatriate in dignity within the specified time frame and receive an enhanced assistance package in Afghanistan. No assisted repatriation will be offered to this group after April 15, the statement said. Those wishing to repatriate within the six-week period must approach one of the two UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs) in Hayatabad (North West Frontier Province) and Baleli (Balochistan) between March 1 and April 15 with all their family members, belongings and documents to prove their residence in Pakistan in 2005/2006. They will receive Voluntary Repatriation Forms (VRFs) and those above five years of age will go through iris verification to ensure they have not repatriated with UNHCR assistance before. The government has reiterated that non-PoR holders will be subject to the laws of the land after the lapse of this offer. Voluntary repatriation for Afghans with PoR cards will only start on April 16.
