Pakistan Ends Extension for Illegal Afghan Residents, Orders Expedited Repatriation

APP

Islamabad: The federal government has decided to ensure the expedited and dignified repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, declaring that no further extension will be granted for their stay.

The decision came after a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday, which reviewed the ongoing repatriation process and Pakistan’s security concerns linked to cross-border militancy.

Prime Minister Shehbaz reaffirmed Pakistan’s “decades-long solidarity” with the Afghan people but noted that the continued involvement of Afghan nationals in cross-border terrorism was a “matter of grave concern.”

He directed all provincial governments and federal institutions to coordinate closely to ensure the early, orderly, and humane repatriation of Afghan nationals without valid documents.

“Pakistan’s brave people, who have sacrificed so much in the fight against terrorism, now rightly ask how long we can continue bearing the burden of Afghan refugees,” the prime minister said.

Officials briefed the meeting that as of October 16, 2025, more than 1.47 million Afghan nationals had already been repatriated in a phased process. Only those with valid Pakistani visas will be allowed to stay, while additional exit points along the border are being established to facilitate the return process.

The prime minister instructed authorities to ensure that the repatriation is carried out with dignity and compassion, particularly for the elderly, women, children, and minorities. He also cautioned that harboring illegal Afghan residents—including offering accommodation in guest houses—constitutes a punishable offense under Pakistani law.

PM Shehbaz lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, for their role in defending the country and effectively repelling recent cross-border attacks. He also commended Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts, noting multiple high-level visits to Kabul by senior officials aimed at addressing Islamabad’s security concerns.

The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Asim Munir, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, and Muzzammil Aslam, representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister.

Concluding the session, Prime Minister Shehbaz directed all provincial governments and agencies to implement the agreed recommendations and extend full cooperation to ensure the timely and dignified repatriation of all illegal Afghan residents from Pakistan.