Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Monday announced a comprehensive crackdown on illegal Afghan nationals living in Pakistan, making every station house officer (SHO) responsible for their arrest and repatriation. Speaking to the media in Lahore, Naqvi remarked, “Afghans were our guests, but they are not our guests anymore,” signaling a firm policy shift toward enforcing immigration laws.
Naqvi criticized the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for failing to take decisive measures to repatriate Afghan nationals, asserting that illegal residents across the country would be sent back under all circumstances. He requested Afghan citizens to voluntarily return to their country in a respectful manner.
Highlighting security concerns, the interior minister cited recent attacks on the Frontier Corps and the Islamabad court complex, noting that the attackers in both cases were Afghan nationals. He stressed that illegal Afghan refugees were being expelled from all three provinces, though some were reportedly receiving protection in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Afghan refugee camps in Chaghi and KP were being shut down as part of the repatriation drive.
Naqvi warned that any deported Afghan nationals returning to Pakistan would face arrest and punishment. He called on the Afghan Taliban government to rein in terrorists, stating, “We clearly know who is behind the terrorism and who is orchestrating it.”
On media matters, Naqvi expressed concern over false news on social media, claiming that 90 percent of online news was incorrect. He emphasized that spreading fake news could not be tolerated and noted that Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) had issued notices for false reporting in national media. He reiterated that freedom of expression exists, but baseless claims about national institutions or security would not be allowed.
The interior minister also mentioned a constitutional amendment under which a new institution was being created, noting that such systemic changes required time and careful implementation.
Overall, Naqvi’s statements underline the government’s firm stance on national security, illegal immigration, and accountability, asserting that politics cannot interfere with security measures.
