UN agencies offer supportfor registering, managing the Afghanistan nationals.

ISLAMABAD -- The United NationsHigh Commissioner for Refugees(UNHCR) and the InternationalOrganisation of Migration (IOM) -the UN's migration agency- offeredtheir support to Pakistan on Saturdayin "developing a comprehensive andsustainable mechanism to registerand manage Afghan nationals,including those who may be in needof international protection".

While appreciating Pakistan's gener ous hospitality towards Afghannationals for over four decadesdespite challenges, the internationalrefugee and migration agenciesappealed to the Government ofPakistan to consider the human rightsviolations that may occur in theirefforts for "forced repatriation of Afghan nationals" including the separation of families anddeportation of minors.

The UN agencies released a joint statement after Pakistanannounced plans to deport around 1.75 million 'illegal' and undoc umented Afghan immigrants back to their home country.

The statement highlighted the plight of human rights challenges inAfghanistan, particularly for women and girls. "Such plans wouldhave serious implications for all who have been forced to leave...