Afghan refugees arrive from Pakistan at the border in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province on December 3, 2023. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
The government decided on Friday to ensure rapid and dignified repatriation of Afghan nationals without further extension.
The decision was taken after a high-level meeting chaired by the Prime Minister on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, during which the Prime Minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing commitment to supporting Afghanistan in difficult times, but noted that the continued involvement of Afghan nationals in cross-border terrorism was a matter of grave concern.
The Prime Minister directed all provincial governments and relevant federal institutions to work in close coordination to ensure speedy and orderly repatriation of all Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, emphasizing that no further extension would be given for their stay.
The Prime Minister appreciated Pakistan’s decades-long hospitality to millions of Afghan refugees despite enormous economic and security challenges, recalling that Pakistan had suffered heavy losses in the war against terrorism, both in human lives and resources.
He noted that despite multiple diplomatic efforts, including high-level visits by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defense Minister and other senior officials to Kabul, Pakistan’s concerns over the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups remained unaddressed.
“The brave people of Pakistan, who have sacrificed so much in the fight against terrorism, are now rightly wondering how long we can continue to bear the burden of Afghan refugees,” the Prime Minister remarked.
The forum was informed that as of October 16, 2025, more than 1.47 million Afghan nationals have already been repatriated gradually. Authorities said only people with valid Pakistani visas would be allowed to stay, while the number of exit points at the border was being increased to facilitate a faster return process.
The Prime Minister ordered that the repatriation be carried out in a dignified and humane manner, ensuring in particular respect for the elderly, women, children and members of minority communities. He warned that harboring or harboring illegal Afghan residents, including allowing them to stay in guest houses, was an offense punishable by law.
The Prime Minister also congratulated the armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir for effectively repelling the recent cross-border attacks from Afghanistan and reiterated that the Pakistan Armed Forces have always proven their professional excellence in defending the country.
The meeting participants, including AJK Prime Minister and provincial leaders, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements and lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in leading the national policy on this issue.
Concluding the session, the Prime Minister directed all provincial governments and institutions to fully implement the agreed recommendations and extend full cooperation to ensure speedy and dignified repatriation of all illegal Afghan residents of Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and Gilgit-Baltistan, and representative of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muzzammil Aslam.
