ISLAMABAD – The federal government on Friday decided to ensure expedited and dignified repatriation of Afghan nationals without further extension.
The decision was made after a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, where the PM reaffirmed Pakistan’s longstanding commitment to supporting Afghanistan in times of difficulty but noted that continued involvement of Afghan nationals in cross-border terrorism was a matter of grave concern.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed all provincial governments and relevant federal institutions to work in close coordination to ensure the early and orderly repatriation of all Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan, emphasizing that no further extension would be granted for their stay. The prime minister appreciated Pakistan’s decades-long hospitality towards millions of Afghan refugees despite enormous economic and security challenges, recalling that Pakistan had borne heavy losses in the war against terrorism both in lives and resources. He noted that despite multiple diplomatic efforts, including high-level visits by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Defense Minister, and other senior officials to Kabul, Pakistan’s concerns regarding the use of Afghan soil by terrorist groups remained unresolved. “Pakistan’s brave people, who have sacrificed so much in the fight against terrorism, now rightly ask how long we can continue bearing the burden of Afghan refugees,” the prime minister remarked.
The forum was briefed that as of October 16, 2025, more than 1.47 million Afghan nationals had already been repatriated in a phased manner. Authorities informed that only those holding valid Pakistani visas would be allowed to stay, while the number of exit points on the border was being increased to facilitate a faster return process.
The prime minister instructed that the repatriation be carried out in a dignified and humane manner, particularly ensuring respect for the elderly, women, children, and members of minority communities. He warned that harboring or sheltering illegal Afghan residents, including allowing them to stay in guest houses, was a punishable offense under the law.
PM Shehbaz Sharif also lauded the Pakistan Armed Forces under the leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir for effectively repelling recent cross-border attacks from Afghanistan and reaffirmed that Pakistan’s armed forces have always proven their professional excellence in defending the homeland.
The meeting participants, including the Prime Minister of AJK and provincial leaders, appreciated Pakistan’s diplomatic achievements and praised the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir in steering national policy on the issue. Concluding the session, the PM directed all provincial governments and institutions to fully implement the agreed recommendations and extend complete cooperation to ensure the timely and dignified repatriation of all illegal Afghan residents from Pakistan.
The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, and the representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, Muzzammil Aslam.
KP CM’s absence from key meeting
Prime Minister’s (PM) Coordinator on Information for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) affairs, Ikhtiar Wali Khan, expressed Friday, serious concern over the absence of KP Chief Minister (CM), Sohail Afridi from a high-level national meeting aimed at addressing critical provincial and national issues.
Speaking to the media, he said that the meeting was called by Prime Minister, attended by the Chief Minister’s of all four provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. “Everyone attended — except for the KP Chief Minister, Sohail Afridi — despite the fact that he was in Islamabad at the time,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday inaugurated the upgraded Geoscience Advanced Research Laboratories (GARL) of the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP), marking a major milestone in advancing the country’s mineral research and exploration capabilities.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the revitalized GARL complex in Chak Shehzad, was attended by Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, and distinguished foreign dignitaries, a Prime Minister’s Office news release said.
Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the modernisation of the laboratory represented a significant stride toward realizing Pakistan’s vast mineral potential through scientific innovation and global collaboration. He said the government was committed to equipping national institutions with the latest technology to ensure sustainable and internationally competitive development in the mineral sector.
Established in 1991, the facility has now been comprehensively upgraded to meet international standards and has earned ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, certifying its technical competence for testing and calibration according to globally recognized benchmarks.
The upgraded laboratories will now produce analytical data compliant with international reporting standards such as JORC and NI 43-101, enabling mining companies to conduct accurate reserve estimations and attract global investment.
Officials from the Geological Survey of Pakistan said the laboratory’s accreditation would significantly enhance investor confidence by providing reliable and verifiable data required by international mining companies and financial institutions for large-scale projects.
Building on over three decades of legacy, the modernized GARL complex is now poised to serve as a state-of-the-art hub for mineral research, exploration, and development reflecting Pakistan’s renewed focus on harnessing its natural resource wealth for national progress.
