Islamabad warned Afghan nationals or those who do not hold Afghan citizen cards to return to their hometowns or face deportation by March 31, a deadline that will be extended until April 30.
The Home Ministry adviser said at a press conference in Islamabad that the deadline for April 30 is the deadline and that only Afghans with valid visas can stay in Pakistan.
The Repatriation Drive is part of a campaign called the Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Program, which was launched in late 2023.
Pakistan has blamed radical attacks and crimes against Afghan citizens in the past, which constitutes the country’s largest immigration group. Afghanistan rejected the charges and said the repatriation was forced to deport.
Chaudhry made a speech the day before Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar planned to lead a delegation of Colliers in Kabul. “The negotiations will cover the entire scope of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, focusing on ways and means to deepen cooperation in various areas of common interests, including security, trade, connectivity, and relationships with people,” the Foreign Office said. Pakistani authorities said they have established temporary centres in various cities to accommodate Afghan nationals and then transport them to the Tokham border crossing in northwest Pakistan.
