Afghan refugees cross the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan at Torkham. (file photo)
The United Nations refugee agency says Pakistan has extended refugee status for more than one million Afghans who are living in the country.
The agency made the announcement on Friday, saying Islamabad agreed to extend the Afghan refugeesâ„¢ status while it thinks of implementing a new policy.
The refugee status for 1.6 million Afghans in Pakistan was set to expire on June 30.
The Pakistan has been hosting Afghans from three decades ago after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
The length of time the Afghan refugees have stayed in Pakistan have frustrated many Pakistani people whom want the Afghans to leave.
Meanwhile, Islamabad says it will not force the Afghan refugees to leave.
Refugee status permits Afghans to obtain a government ID card that is used for everyday activities including banking or registering for school.
In June 2012, a UN report indicated that Afghanistan and Iraq, both of which were hit by invasions led and carried out by the United States, had been the leading sources of refugees in the world in 2011.
The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washingtonâ„¢s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but after almost 12 years, insecurity remains across the country.
MR/HN
Republished with permission from:: Press TV