Pakistan Decides: Only Afghan Nationals with Valid Visas Can Stay — PM Shehbaz Chairs Key Meeting
ISLAMABAD (Independent Report) —
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday chaired a high-level meeting where it was decided that only Afghan nationals holding valid visas will be allowed to stay in Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by the chief ministers of three provinces, as well as the Prime Ministers of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa did not attend; he was represented by Muzzammil Aslam.
Discussions focused on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, cross-border infiltration, and provocations originating from Afghanistan.
Officials briefed the meeting that the gradual repatriation of Afghan refugees is already underway, and as of October 16, 2025, a total of 1,477,592 Afghan nationals have been repatriated to Afghanistan.
The briefing further clarified that no additional grace period will be granted to Afghan refugees and that their return will be ensured swiftly. The government is also increasing the number of exit points to facilitate a smoother and faster repatriation process.
The meeting also concluded that only Afghan citizens possessing valid visas will be permitted to stay in Pakistan.
Authorities emphasized that harboring illegal Afghan nationals or allowing them accommodation in guest houses constitutes a legal offense.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed that the repatriation of illegal Afghan migrants should be conducted with dignity and respect.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister said:
> “The people of Pakistan ask how long the government will continue to bear the burden of Afghan refugees. It is now time to resolve this matter in accordance with the law.”
He added that he had a telephone conversation with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the previous day, congratulating him and assuring full cooperation from the federal government.
> “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is an important unit of the federation. The federal government stands ready to cooperate with the provincial government for the welfare and development of the people,”
the Prime Minister emphasized.
