PM directs coordinated efforts for swift repatriation of Afghan nationals

Islamabad: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed all the provincial governments as well as federal and provincial institutions to work together to ensure the swift repatriation of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.

He was chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Friday regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The Prime Minister instructed that during the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees, the elderly, women, children, and minorities should be treated with dignity. He requested full cooperation from the provinces regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees.

The Prime Minister said the brave people of Pakistan, who sacrificed their loved ones in the war against terrorism, are now asking how long the government will continue to bear the burden of Afghan refugees.

He said Pakistan has consistently supported Afghanistan through decades of hardship. He noted that Pakistan has suffered thousands of precious lives and billions of dollars in economic losses in the war against terrorism.

Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over terrorist attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil and the involvement of Afghan citizens in these attacks.

He mentioned that the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, the Defence Minister, and other senior officials have made multiple visits to Afghanistan to hold talks with the interim Afghan government to prevent the use of Afghan territory for terrorism in Pakistan. He added that Pakistan has made strong diplomatic and political efforts to stop the infiltration of militants from Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister also expressed concern over Afghanistan's recent attack on Pakistan and its support for militant infiltration attempts. He said the valiant armed forces of Pakistan gave a befitting response to the attack. Under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, the Pakistan Army repelled Afghanistan's aggression, and the entire nation pays tribute to their valor.

He added that under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir's leadership, the Pakistan Army has already proven during Indian aggression that our brave forces are fully capable of defending the homeland with their professional skills.

The meeting was attended by Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, a representative of the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and senior federal and provincial officials.

Welcoming all participants of the meeting, Shehbaz Sharif said he congratulated the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday via telephone and assured him of the full cooperation of the federal government.

The Prime Minister emphasised that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a vital unit of the federation, and the Federal Government is committed to supporting the provincial government for the welfare and development of its people.

In the meeting, Muzammil Aslam represented Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

The meeting was briefed that around 1.5 million Afghan nationals have so far been sent back. It was told that no further extensions will be granted, and the repatriation process will be expedited. It was said that only Afghan nationals with valid Pakistani visas will be allowed to stay in the country.

The meeting was updated that the number of exit points for Afghanistan is being increased to facilitate and accelerate the repatriation process. It was told that providing shelter or placing illegally residing Afghan nationals in guest houses is a legal offence, and identification of such individuals is underway. The public will be made partners in the repatriation process, and no one will be allowed to shelter Afghans in violation of government policies.

The Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government appreciated Pakistan's diplomatic efforts and commended the central role played by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the forum decided that all recommendations presented should be strictly implemented.