Registered Afghan refugees can now stay in Pakistan till March 2017, says government

Pakistan's federal cabinet has granted an extension of stay to registered Afghan refugees in the country by a further three months.

The permits will allow these refugees to live in the country till March 31, 2017.

"The cabinet while deliberating on agenda item on Extension of the Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards and Tripartite Agreement in respect of Registered Afghan Refugees approved the extension till 31st March 2017," Dawn quoted the statement issued by the Pakistan Prime Minister's Office.

In June, the Pakistan Government had extended the stay of Afghan refugees till December 31, 2016.

This is reportedly the third extension in the deadline since the decision was taken last year following the Army Public School tragedy to repatriate the remaining Afghan refugees by December 31, 2015.

Reports suggest that around three million Afghan refugees are living in Pakistan, half of whom are unregistered.