Pakistan has expressed deep concern over recent unprovoked attacks from Afghanistan and the support extended to militant elements (Khawarij) trying to infiltrate Pakistani territory. In a high-level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, the government made a final decision to not grant any further extensions to illegal Afghan residents and emphasized the urgent need for their repatriation.
The meeting was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the Prime Ministers of Azad Jammu & Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, along with senior federal and provincial officials.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed the attendees about his recent phone conversation with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, congratulating him and assuring full federal support for the welfare and development of the province. The KP Chief Minister was represented by Muzzammil Aslam due to his absence.
The Prime Minister recalled Pakistan’s decades-long support for Afghanistan during its crises and highlighted the heavy toll Pakistan has paid in the war on terror, including thousands of lives lost and billions in economic losses. He expressed grave concern over terrorist attacks launched from Afghan soil and the involvement of Afghans in these acts.
Despite multiple visits by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, and other senior officials to Afghanistan for talks with the caretaker Afghan government, efforts to stop the use of Afghan territory for terrorism have so far failed. Pakistan has persistently pursued diplomatic and political measures to prevent militant infiltration.
Addressing the nation’s sacrifices, the Prime Minister stated,
“Our brave people, who have sacrificed dearly in the fight against terrorism, ask how long the government will bear the burden of Afghan refugees.”
He urged all provincial governments and federal and provincial institutions to work closely to ensure the swift repatriation of illegal Afghan residents.
The recent Afghan attack and support for militant infiltration into Pakistan were condemned as deeply troubling. The Prime Minister praised Pakistan’s armed forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir for their effective and strong response, saying,
“Our forces have repelled the Afghan attacks, and the entire nation salutes their bravery and professionalism.”
He further emphasized the military’s proven capability to defend the country, referencing past successes during Indian aggression.
The meeting received a detailed briefing on the phased repatriation of Afghan refugees. As of October 16, 2025, 1,477,592 Afghans have been repatriated. The government clarified that no further extensions will be given, and only Afghan nationals with valid Pakistani visas will be allowed to stay.
To facilitate repatriation, the number of exit points at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border is being increased to enable a smoother and faster return. The meeting also stated that sheltering illegal Afghan residents or allowing them to stay in guesthouses is a criminal offence, and efforts are underway to identify such individuals.
The Prime Minister stressed public cooperation in the repatriation process and vowed that no one would be allowed to violate government policies by harboring illegal Afghan residents. He directed that the repatriation process be conducted with dignity and respect, especially towards the elderly, women, children, and minorities.
Leaders from Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and the KP representative praised Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements and lauded Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir for their central role in these efforts.
The forum concluded with a unanimous decision to strictly implement all recommendations presented in the meeting. The Prime Minister called upon provincial governments to provide full cooperation to ensure the timely repatriation of Afghan refugees.
