Pakistan sets April 30 deadline for illegal foreigners to leave

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry announced on Friday that all foreign nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas must leave the country by April 30. This move is part of Pakistan’s ongoing campaign to enforce immigration laws and ensure national security.

At a press conference in Islamabad, the minister said, “Pakistan has shown unmatched hospitality for decades, but the time has come to strictly enforce our immigration laws.”

The campaign, called the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan, began in late 2023. It mainly targets undocumented Afghan nationals, many of whom have been living in Pakistan for years. Originally, the deadline for their departure was March 31, but it was extended to April 30.

Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for over 40 years. While many have returned to Afghanistan in recent years, around 2.1 million still live in areas like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and other provinces.

Since April 1, over 84,800 Afghan nationals have already returned to their country, according to Chaudhry. He said the repatriation is being done in a lawful, organised, and humane way, with cooperation from Afghan authorities.

The government is also cracking down on people and businesses in Pakistan who provide housing, jobs, or services to undocumented foreigners. “Anyone who rents out a home, shop, or even a hotel room to illegal foreigners will be held accountable under the law,” Chaudhry warned.

Only foreigners with valid legal documents can now rent property, work, or run businesses in Pakistan.

Chaudhry also shared serious security concerns. Intelligence reports suggest that some of the one million weapons left behind by U.S. forces in Afghanistan have fallen into the hands of terrorist groups. “This is a threat not only to Pakistan but to the entire region,” he said.

The minister emphasized that Pakistan’s policy is not about hostility, but about following the law, ensuring public safety, and protecting national interests. He also noted that diplomatic talks with the Afghan government are ongoing to ensure a smooth process.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is scheduled to visit Kabul soon to lead high-level discussions on the matter.