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| Photo File (X/Twitter) / Meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif |
In a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the government has decided that only Afghan nationals possessing valid visas will be permitted to remain in Pakistan. The meeting, attended by the chief ministers of three provinces, along with the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and the chief minister of Gilgit-Baltistan, focused on issues related to Afghan refugees and cross-border tensions with Afghanistan.
The chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not attend the meeting, and his representation was carried out by Muzzammil Aslam. Officials briefed the participants on the repatriation process of Afghan refugees, informing that as of October 16, 2025, a total of 1,477,592 Afghans had been sent back to their home country in a phased manner.
The briefing clarified that no additional extensions would be granted for Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without authorization. Authorities are enhancing exit points at the border to facilitate a faster and smoother repatriation process. The government reaffirmed that harboring or providing accommodation to undocumented Afghan migrants, including in guest houses, constitutes a legal offense under Pakistani law.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that the repatriation process must be carried out with dignity and respect, ensuring that no Afghan refugee is mistreated. Addressing the gathering, he said, “People are asking how long the government will continue to bear the burden of Afghan refugees.”
Sharif also shared that he had a recent telephone conversation with the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, congratulating him on his efforts and assuring full cooperation from the federal government. “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an integral part of the federation,” he stated, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to work jointly with provincial administrations for the welfare and development of the people.
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