Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday to review the ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees, emphasizing Pakistan’s commitment to complete the process within the agreed timeline.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented by Muzzammil Aslam.
Cooperation with provinces
The prime minister said the federal and provincial governments were jointly responsible for ensuring an organized and dignified return of Afghan nationals.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a vital part of the federation. The federal government will fully support the province in this effort,” he added.
Concerns over cross-border attacks
Mr Sharif expressed serious concern over recent cross-border attacks and militant infiltration from Afghan soil.
“The involvement of Afghan nationals in terrorism inside Pakistan is a matter of grave concern,” he said.
He reiterated Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with Kabul to prevent such incidents, adding that the country had “sacrificed thousands of lives and suffered immense economic losses” in the fight against terrorism.
Over 1.47 million Afghans repatriated
Officials informed the meeting that 1,477,592 Afghan nationals had been repatriated so far in different phases. Only Afghans holding valid visas will be allowed to stay in Pakistan.
Additional border exit points are being established to speed up the process, while authorities have warned that sheltering illegal residents is a punishable offence.
PM lauds Pakistan Army
The prime minister praised the Pakistan Army for its effective response to recent Afghan Taliban border aggression.
“Under Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s leadership, our forces have successfully defended the country’s sovereignty,” he said.
He directed officials to ensure that the repatriation process is carried out “with dignity and compassion,” particularly for women, children, and the elderly.
The meeting ended with a commitment to strengthen coordination between federal and provincial governments for smooth repatriation and effective border management.
