ISLAMABAD - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has facilitated the return of over fifty six thousand registered Afghan refugees from Pakistan so far this year under its voluntary repatriation programme.

Talking to media in Islamabad today, he said that Pakistan is hosting almost 1.5 million registered Afghan refugees which is the largest protracted refugee population in the world. He said since 2002, the UNHCR has facilitated the return of 4 million registered Afghans from Pakistan.

To a question, he said the validity of Proof of Registration cards to Afghan refugees had been extended from 31st December 2015 to 31st December 2017. (Agencies)