PESHAWAR: In the absence of laws for refugees and asylum seekers, the government has yet to decide the fate of some 4,500 applications filed by residents of different countries seeking Pakistani citizenship. These include Turkish citizens, many of whom applied after a government crackdown on dissent following the failed military coup in the country last summer, as well as Somali, Sudanese and Iraqi citizens fleeing the wars in their countries. “In the absence of refugees and asylum seekers’ law, people who lack Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or authorised visa but want Pakistani nationality are provided protection and asylum certificate,” UNCHR representative Tausifullah told journalists during a seminar titled “International protection, status of refugees in Pakistan and role of media.