Rules should be relaxed for Afghan refugees marrying Pakistani citizens: Court decision continues

Afghan refugees have been living here for four decades, passport and identity card should not be made mandatory for POC of Afghan refugees: Peshawar High Court's decision / file photo

Peshawar High Court has issued a written decision on the applications of Pakistani citizens regarding the marriages of Afghan refugees.


Peshawar High Court Justice Waqar Ahmad issued a 33-page judgment in which it is written that the rules for Afghan refugees marrying Pakistani citizens should be relaxed and all applications for Pakistan Origin Cards are partially approved.


In the decision, it has been said that the applicants should apply for POC in the relevant forum as per the procedure, Afghan refugees have been living here for four decades, passport and identity card should not be made mandatory for POC of Afghan refugees.


According to the written decision, it is easy to get passport and identity card under normal circumstances, it is a difficult phase for Afghan refugees living here for four decades. POC cards should be issued to these Afghan refugees after necessary documents, They are empowered to ask for details and evidence from the applicants and facilitate the registration of the marriage if the couple is Pakistani.


The court decision has also said that the registration of children of Pakistani-Afghan couple should not be hindered unnecessarily, NADRA will issue the card after clearance, while if there is no clearance, NADRA will reject the application and inform the applicant in writing.