Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees for over four decades; however, it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, nor has it enacted any refugee-specific national legislation. As a result, one of the world’s largest and most protracted refugee situations is managed through ad hoc administrative measures—often increasing the vulnerability and uncertainty faced by Afghan refugees.
Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, issued by the Government of Pakistan to registered Afghan refugees, have undergone multiple renewals and were most recently extended until June 30, 2025. These cards provide temporary legal status to Afghan refugees who continue to await a policy decision on their long-term stay in the country. In addition to registered refugees, a sizable number of unregistered Afghans reside in Pakistan without PoR cards.
RRN-Pakistan envisions a protective environment for refugees in Pakistan. The RRN-Pakistan is an initiative of national organizations and human rights activists, serving as a network for well coordinated and effective advocacy about refugee rights through information sharing, capacity building, and coordination among institutions involved in promoting refugee protection in Pakistan and to defend and expand the rights of all asylum seekers, detainees and refugees. The overarching goal of RRN-Pakistan is to ensure refugee protection.
Refugee Rights Network (RRN)-Pakistan aspires to fill this gap by bringing together relevant NGOs and civil society organizations at one platform to substantiate the advocacy efforts in a bid to effectively address the entire issues concerning refugee population in Pakistan. Though still in its infancy, RRN-Pakistan, a national forum committed for advocating for refugee rights in Pakistan.
The RRN-Pakistan was initially envisioned in April 2014 during a symposium on refugee rights held in Tehran organized by Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN) and Association for Protection of Refugee Women and Children (HAMI). It was launched in early 2015. SHARP-Pakistan leads (Chair) RRN in Pakistan since 2014.
For more details about RRN Pakistan, visit:
- The Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network: is an open and growing network consisting of more than 300 civil society organisations and individuals from 28 countries committed to advancing the rights of refugees in the Asia Pacific region. This is achieved through information sharing, mutual capacity building, and joint advocacy.
- RRN Pakistan’s website
- RRN Pakistan’s facebook page
- RRN Pakistan’s twitter page
