The government has repatriated around 1.3 million Afghans since November 2023, Parliamentary Secretary Mukhtar Ahmad Malik informed the National Assembly on Wednesday, stressing Afghan nationals with valid visas are free to remain in the country.
To a question, Malik said around 3 million Afghan refugees have been residing in Pakistan. “Of these, 813,000 hold Afghan Citizen Cards, while 1.3 million possess Proof of Registration cards,” he said. Under the One Document Regime, he said, Afghan nationals who wish to enter Pakistan for medical treatment, education, or business purposes continue to be welcomes, provided they obtain necessary visas and carry valid documentation.
Terrorism
Also on Wednesday, the National Assembly was informed that the underlying cause of resurgent terrorism is the presence of Indian-backed proxy groups operating within Pakistan. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said over 90,000 people, including civilians, security personnel and law enforcement officials, had lost their lives to terrorism nationwide.
Emphasizing Pakistan has paid a steep price in the war against terror, both in terms of human lives and economic losses, Chaudhry said security forces and law enforcement agencies have relentlessly pursued and neutralized perpetrators of terrorism to safeguard cities and communities.
He said investigations suggested the involvement of Indian-backed proxy groups operating within Pakistan, asserting they are being actively targeted and dismantled by the country’s security apparatus. “The core driver of the ongoing conflict with India is the presence of the foreign-sponsored elements. Our forces are engaged in a broader national effort to neutralize such threats,” he added.
The minister affirmed the government’s commitment to the full implementation of the National Action Plan, underscoring that all decisions are taken through consensus and inter-agency coordination. He also clarified that military and law enforcement operations are intelligence-driven, targeting areas where terrorists have established safe havens and are planning attacks.
“There is a strong, unified demand from the people of Pakistan to eliminate terrorism in all its forms,” he said.