Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Ali Amin Gandapur’s chief minister, criticized the federal government policy on Afghan refugees, saying that they should not be forcibly expelled from Pakistan. “Center policy on Afghan refugees is wrong … The approach adopted in the past has violated human rights,” he said at a press conference in Peshawar on Sunday.
His remarks arise for weeks after the federal government has set a deadline of March 31 for “illegal foreigners” and holders of Afghan citizen cards to leave Pakistan voluntarily. This decision is part of an ongoing repatriation campaign launched in 2023, mainly targeting undocumented Afghan nationals.
Islamabad blamed Afghan migrants for security problems, citing their alleged involvement in militant activities and crime. However, Gandapur argued that those who do not have a criminal record should be allowed to stay and grant Pakistani citizenship.
“There should be no problem if the Afghans without a criminal record are ready to stay in Pakistan … I have always raised my voice for the Afghans who are legally in conformity,” he said.
KP hosts the largest population of Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Peshawar welcoming the greatest number. Many refugees have lived in the province for decades, run businesses or work in various sectors.
According to the United Nations, more than 800,000 Afghans returned to Afghanistan since Pakistan began its repatriation efforts. Overall, the country is home to 2.8 million Afghan refugees, including 2.1 million documented residents.
Addressing the increase in terrorism, Gandapur questioned the treatment of security by the federal government, saying that the situation was better under the former Prime Minister Imran Khan. “When the state focused on the crushing of a party, it has neglected its own responsibilities, which leads to an increase in terrorism,” he said.
The chief minister of KP underlined the financial constraints of the province, blaming the center so as not to provide adequate resources. “Police has not received new weapons in the past 10 years,” he said, despite their efforts to counter terrorist threats to the borders of the province.
Gandapur has also criticized delays in the approval of the mandate (twists) for negotiations with Afghanistan on cross -border terrorism. He reiterated his request for the legitimate part of the KP within the framework of the Prize of the National Finance Commission (NFC), warning protests if the funds were not allocated.
“If they are without funds, they should sit with us and find a solution,” he urged, adding that increased police wages and development projects depend on the province receiving its due date.
