FO Spokesperson Defends Crackdown
ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has asserted its sovereign right to regulate the stay of foreigners, declaring that undocumented individuals — including Afghan nationals — will be repatriated. Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan told reporters on Friday that the decision is in line with international practices.
“Any people with no documentation should leave. This is what Pakistan is doing and what any other country would do, including in Europe … it is our territory, we decide who stays in,” Khan said during the weekly press briefing.
UN Urges Pakistan to Halt Deportations
The statement comes as thousands of Afghans, including registered refugees, continue to cross back into Afghanistan, even as the country reels from a devastating earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people and flattened villages.
UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi urged Islamabad to pause the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, stressing that humanitarian conditions should be considered in deportation efforts.
Decades of Refugee Hosting
Pakistan has hosted Afghan refugees for over 40 years, beginning with the Soviet invasion in 1979 and continuing through the 2021 Taliban takeover. Many Afghans were born and raised in Pakistan, while others are still waiting for relocation to third countries.
However, Islamabad launched a sweeping crackdown in 2023, citing rising militant violence. According to UN figures, more than 1.2 million Afghans have since been sent back, including over 443,000 in 2025 alone. The latest campaign is targeting around 1.3 million refugees holding UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, with a September 1 deadline to leave voluntarily or face arrest and deportation.
Concerns Over Afghans Awaiting Relocation
Many Afghans approved for resettlement in Germany reported police raids on guesthouses where they were temporarily staying. Khan expressed hope that Germany would honour its commitments and said Pakistan remained in close contact with Berlin to ensure safe relocation.
Security and Terrorism Issues
Addressing regional security, the FO spokesperson pointed to the presence of terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan as a continuing obstacle in bilateral relations. He urged Kabul to take “meaningful action” against groups using Afghan soil for attacks in Pakistan.
Khan dismissed allegations of Pakistani involvement in operations inside Afghanistan, clarifying that border operations were conducted solely against terrorists based on credible intelligence. “Terrorist groups are the common enemy of regional peace and stability, and eliminating them requires joint efforts,” he said.
Humanitarian Aid to Afghanistan
Despite tensions, Pakistan dispatched relief goods to assist victims of the earthquake in Afghanistan and pledged to provide further support if required. Khan reiterated that diplomatic engagement with Kabul remains ongoing through various official channels.
