ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has reiterated that only it has the authority to decide who can stay within its borders, stressing that undocumented individuals will be repatriated under the ongoing campaign.
“Any people with no documentation should leave. This is what Pakistan is doing and what any other country will be doing, including in Europe and other countries… it is our territory, we decide who stays in,” Foreign Office spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan said at the weekly press briefing on Friday.
UNHCR appeal amid Afghan earthquake
Thousands of Afghans registered as refugees have crossed back into Afghanistan in recent days, even as the country reels from a devastating earthquake that killed over 2,200 people and flattened villages.
Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, urged Islamabad to pause the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan in light of the humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan, however, maintains that the crackdown is necessary, citing a rise in militant attacks and insurgent activity. According to UN figures, more than 1.2 million Afghans have been forced to return since the policy was launched in 2023, including over 443,000 this year alone.
The campaign has most recently targeted an estimated 1.3 million refugees holding UNHCR-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, with Sept 1 set as the deadline for voluntary departure or forced deportation.
Call for Germany to expedite relocations
Afghans awaiting relocation to Germany have reported police raids on guesthouses where they have been staying during the long processing of their cases.
Mr Khan expressed hope that Berlin would fulfil its commitment to take in Afghan citizens, adding that Pakistan and Germany would continue to strengthen ties on the basis of mutual trust and goodwill.
Concerns over terrorism
The spokesperson reiterated that the presence of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan remained a “serious concern” and an obstacle in bilateral relations, urging Kabul to take meaningful action against militant groups.
He dismissed allegations of Pakistani involvement in attacks inside Afghanistan, clarifying that security operations in border areas targeted only terrorists, and were carried out on the basis of credible intelligence.
Read More: PM Reaffirms Pakistan’s Unwavering Support for Palestine
“Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” Mr Khan said, urging the Taliban government to ensure that Afghan soil was not used for terrorist activity against Pakistan.
“Terrorist groups are the common enemy of regional peace and stability, and eliminating them requires joint efforts,” he stressed.
Ongoing cooperation
The spokesperson said diplomatic relations with Afghanistan were continuing normally, with contacts maintained at various levels.
He also noted that Pakistan had dispatched relief goods for victims of the recent Afghan earthquake and stood ready to provide further humanitarian assistance.
