LAHORE: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Sunday that Afghan nationals are “no longer guests” of the country and must return home. He urged Afghan citizens to leave “with dignity,” warning that the state will ensure their repatriation from all parts of Pakistan.
Speaking to reporters in Lahore, Naqvi said the attackers involved in a recent assault on Frontier Corps personnel were all Afghans. He added that the man who carried out the Islamabad court attack was also an Afghan citizen. “Afghans are involved in every major attack happening in the country,” he said.
Naqvi said the government is continuing the nationwide expulsion of undocumented Afghans. He said authorities are successfully sending back illegal migrants and must continue to do so. “We cannot afford more explosions,” he said, calling for full implementation of federal decisions.
The minister urged undocumented Afghans to return voluntarily. He warned that anyone deported and later found re-entering Pakistan would be arrested and punished. He said Afghan camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being dismantled.
Naqvi said Pakistan knows “very clearly” who is behind terrorism and who supports it. He called on the Afghan Taliban authorities to restrain militants.
He said the KP government must fully implement the federation’s directives. He announced the closure of Afghan camps in the province and directed every police station house officer to remove Afghan nationals from their areas. “If someone returns after being sent back, arrest them,” he said.
Naqvi said three provinces have already expelled illegal Afghans and that more than 460,000 Afghans have returned through Torkham. He said the situation in KP is different, as the province is “formally providing protection” to undocumented Afghans. He added that camps in Peshawar, Nowshera, and parts of North and South Waziristan have been denotified but remain operational.
He urged KP authorities to “think of Pakistan first, and politics later,” warning that the country cannot tolerate more suicide attacks.
On media issues, Naqvi said “90 percent” of news circulating on social media is false and that a crackdown is coming. He said PEMRA issues notices to TV channels for airing false reports, but social media has no such checks. “There is freedom of expression, but fake news cannot be allowed,” he said.
Naqvi said the government will not allow online harassment or defamation and will not compromise on national security. He criticised individuals abroad who, he said, spread false claims about state institutions. “You will return soon and answer for your statements,” he said.
Also Read: Pakistan Prepared for Operation in Afghanistan Before Qatar-Turkiye Mediation, Says Dar
He added that TV channels operate under a regulated system and face penalties for false reporting. He said action will be taken against those responsible for spreading fake news online.
