Voluntary repatriation for Afghan refugees suspended temporarily.

ISLAMABAD -- The voluntary repatriation of registered Afghan refugees in Pakistan has been suspended. This is due to precautionary measures taken by the government to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Centres at Azakhel, Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baleli, Quetta in Balochistan are therefore closed until further notice. The Encashment Centres in Afghanistan have also been closed. 'We have temporarily suspended voluntary repatriation due to the extenuating circumstances. UNHCR's utmost priority is to support global efforts on lessening the spread and impact of COVID-19, and to assist the Government of Pakistan with its comprehensive...