Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday criticized the federal government’s decision to expel all Afghan refugees from April 1, adding his administration will independently decide on the best course of action for itself.
On March 7, the Interior Ministry announced that under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Program implemented since Nov. 1, 2023, the government had decided that Afghan Citizen Card holders had until March 31 to leave the country or face deportation. It said sufficient time had elapsed since Nov. 1 for the dignified return of Afghan migrants.
Speaking with media, Gandapur described the policy as “inhumane and oppressive,” adding he did not agree with it. “When the deadline [March 31] will arrive, I will decide what suits me, suits the culture and traditions of KP,” he said, claiming it was “wrong” to repatriate the Afghans without ensuring there were arrangements for their return in Afghanistan.
To a question, the chief minister said the federal government had not consulted with his government prior to imposing the deadline. He also claimed the center was not facilitating his desire to open negotiations with the Afghan government.
Earlier, Gandapur accused the state and its institutions for resurgent militancy. Repeating a narrative being peddled on social media platforms, he alleged the state had been “wasting their energies in dismantling and breaking the PTI and creating rifts in its leadership.”
He said the state and its institutions needed to be careful and make the right decisions in view of the law and order situation.