Islamabad (Staff Reporter)
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, while chairing a high-level meeting on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, expressed serious concern over continued terrorist attacks on Pakistan from Afghan soil and the involvement of Afghan nationals in such incidents.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as senior federal and provincial officials. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was represented by Muzzammil Aslam in the absence of its Chief Minister.
PM Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Afghanistan, which has faced decades of hardship, has consistently received Pakistan’s support during difficult times. He recalled that Pakistan has lost thousands of lives and suffered billions of dollars in economic losses in the fight against terrorism.
He stated that high-ranking Pakistani officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Defence Minister, have made multiple visits to Kabul, urging the Afghan interim government to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory against Pakistan.
“Despite our diplomatic efforts, cross-border incursions by extremist elements continue. The brave people of Pakistan, who have borne the brunt of terrorism, ask how much longer we must bear the burden of illegal Afghan refugees,” the Prime Minister said.
He announced that all illegal Afghan nationals must be repatriated as soon as possible through close cooperation between federal and provincial authorities. Only Afghan nationals holding valid Pakistani visas will be permitted to remain in the country.
According to a detailed briefing during the meeting, over 1.47 million Afghan nationals have already been repatriated by October 16, 2025. No further extensions will be granted for undocumented Afghan refugees. Exit points at the Afghan border are being expanded to facilitate a smoother return process.
PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned recent attacks from Afghanistan and commended the Pakistan Armed Forces for repelling these attacks under the leadership of COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir. He praised the military’s professionalism and their proven record in defending the homeland, especially during times of foreign aggression.
Participants in the meeting appreciated the diplomatic efforts of Pakistan and recognized the leadership of PM Shehbaz Sharif and COAS Asim Munir in addressing national security and refugee issues.
The Prime Minister also stressed that all Afghan repatriations must be carried out with dignity, particularly concerning the elderly, women, children, and minorities.
The forum concluded with a consensus that all policy recommendations presented in the meeting will be strictly implemented. The Prime Minister also assured full federal support to provincial governments in executing the repatriation plan.
Additionally, the meeting noted that harboring illegal Afghan nationals or accommodating them in guest houses is a punishable offense, and the general public will be made a stakeholder in this process to ensure policy enforcement.