LAHORE: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi revealed that by April 2025, the federal government has repatriated 1.1 million undocumented Afghan nationals, with 400,000 individuals sent back via the Torkham border.
Addressing the media in Lahore, Naqvi pointed out a contrasting situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), where he alleged illegal Afghan residents are receiving “protection.” He shared that officially designated camps in Peshawar and Nowshera are operational, along with active camps in North and South Waziristan that remain unaddressed.
The minister expressed concern over links between some Afghan nationals and terrorist activities. He referred to incidents such as attacks at the Wana Cadet College, the Islamabad Judicial Complex, and the Peshawar FC headquarters, asserting that three attackers in these events were reportedly of Afghan origin.
To tackle the issue, Naqvi stated that the Station House Officers (SHOs) of police stations have been assigned the responsibility of identifying and deporting illegal Afghan citizens within their jurisdictions.
He underscored the importance of prioritizing national interests, insisting that the KP government must align with the federal directive. While acknowledging signs of economic recovery in Pakistan, Naqvi emphasized that the country cannot afford further security risks. He appealed to undocumented Afghan residents to leave voluntarily and respectfully but warned that those attempting to re-enter illegally would face arrest.
Commenting on border and airport surveillance, the minister disclosed that daily airport checks lead to the removal of 50 to 60 passengers. He added that detailed information compiled by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) would soon be shared with the media. Furthermore, Naqvi addressed the issue of misinformation on social media, stating that 90 percent is fabricated and driven by false narratives from specific agents.
On legitimate overseas travel, Naqvi assured that Pakistani citizens pursuing lawful work abroad would not face restrictions. As an example, he mentioned a case where an individual failed to meet eligibility requirements to work as a driver in Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that systemic improvements are necessary to address such gaps.
