The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan emphasized on Thursday that the ongoing operation against illegal immigrants in the country is not specifically targeted at any particular nationality.
FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made this clarification during her weekly press briefing in Islamabad. The caretaker government had issued an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, directing them to leave Pakistan by October 31. Failure to comply with this deadline would result in imprisonment and deportation to their respective countries. This decision was made in an apex committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, attended by the army chief, and others. The committee also decided to enforce passport and visa requirements for border crossings, with electronic Afghan identity cards (e-tazkiras) being accepted only until October 31.
Following the announcement, Afghan authorities, including Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, expressed their concerns. Mujahid termed the policy “unacceptable” and urged Pakistani authorities to reconsider it. He stated that Afghan refugees were not involved in Pakistan’s security problems and should be tolerated as long as they voluntarily leave Pakistan.
During the media briefing, Baloch clarified that the ongoing operation is focused on repatriating individuals who have either overstayed their visas or lack valid documents to stay in Pakistan. She emphasized that Pakistan’s actions were in line with its sovereign domestic laws, and the operation was not targeted at any specific nationality.
Baloch further emphasized that the operation does not affect the 1.4 million Afghan refugees whom Pakistan has hosted for decades with “exemplary generosity and hospitality” despite its own economic challenges. She reiterated that Pakistan’s national policy on Afghan refugees remained unchanged, and the country continued to engage with Afghanistan to create a conducive environment for their safe and honorable repatriation.
