Islamabad, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has stated that Pakistan can no longer compromise its national security by accommodating a large number of undocumented foreigners, including Afghan nationals.

According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Prime Minister, in an article published in ‘The Telegraph’, emphasized building a safer, more peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan, with benefits extending regionally and globally. He highlighted that at least 16 Afghan nationals have been involved in suicide attacks in Pakistan since August 2021, and 65 terrorists killed in encounters were identified as Afghans. This situation, he said, cannot be overlooked by any responsible government.

Kakar noted that Pakistan’s approach focuses on the voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation of individuals, rather than deportation. He revealed that 93 percent of those returning to Afghanistan did so voluntarily, and neither the 1.46 million Afghans who applied for proof of registration cards nor the approximately 800,000 individuals holding Afghan citizen cards have been returned.

Pakistan has established 79 transit centers offering free meals, shelter, and medical facilities, and opened additional crossing points on the Pakistan-Afghan Border to facilitate the process. The Prime Minister also acknowledged Pakistan’s long history of hosting around five million Afghans over the last four decades, reflecting the country’s inherent hospitality.

However, he addressed the challenges of undocumented migrants, including their involvement in the black market and susceptibility to exploitation by criminal and terrorist networks. The Prime Minister emphasized that while many migrants are hardworking and law-abiding, the socio-economic and security costs of the influx have been significant.

The abrupt withdrawal of Western allies from Afghanistan in August 2021 led to a new wave of Afghan refugees entering Pakistan. Kakar assured that Pakistan takes their welfare seriously, especially for at-risk groups such as musicians, journalists, and human rights activists, stating that these groups will not face deportation.