Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Wednesday met with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to discuss national security and the ongoing repatriation of Afghan nationals.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, Naqvi briefed the premier on security measures in place during Eidul Fitr and progress on the return of undocumented foreigners and Afghan Citizen Card holders.
PM Shehbaz expressed satisfaction over the peaceful environment during Eid, praising the efforts of law enforcement agencies.
The meeting also included a review of matters related to the Ministry of Interior, with a focus on enforcement actions post-deadline for Afghan repatriation.
As of the previous deadline, 886,242 Afghans had returned home. Officials confirmed that legal action will now be initiated against those who remain in violation of the policy.
Meanwhile, the federal government has postponed a deadline for the deportation of hundreds of thousands of Afghans due to the Eidul Fitr holidays.
The government had initially set a deadline for March 31 for Afghans holding specific documentation to leave the country, intensifying efforts to repatriate Afghan nationals.
However, the government has now extended the deadline until the beginning of next week due to the holiday period, according to an official.
Afghans holding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC) – issued by Pakistani authorities and reportedly held by 800,000 people, according to the United Nations – will be subject to deportation once the new deadline expires.
