ISLAMABAD: The federal capital at a meeting on Friday decided stricter regulations for Afghan nationals to live in Pakistan.
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, it was decided that only those possessing a valid visa will be allowed to stay in the country.
The meeting was attended by the chief ministers of three provinces, Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and representatives from Gilgit-Baltistan. However, the mhief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not attend the meeting in person and was represented by a representtative.
The discussions centered around the situation of Afghan refugees, the issue of border infiltration and provocations from Afghanistan. A detailed briefing was provided regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees, highlighting that the phased return of refugees had already commenced. As of October 16, 2025, a total of 1,477,592 Afghan refugees have been sent back to Afghanistan.
The meeting also confirmed that no additional grace period will be granted to Afghan refugees. To ensure a smooth repatriation process, the number of exit points to Afghanistan is being increased, facilitating faster and more efficient returns.
It was decided that only Afghan nationals with valid visas will be permitted to stay in Pakistan. The briefing also emphasized that housing Afghan nationals illegally and allowing them to stay in guest houses is a legal offense.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed that the repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees should be handled with dignity and respect.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister addressed the concerns of the public, who have been questioning how long the government will bear the burden of Afghan refugees. He mentioned that he had spoken with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the phone the previous day, congratulating him and assuring full federal support.
He stressed that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a crucial part of the federation and that the federal government is committed to cooperating with provincial governments for the welfare and development of the people.
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