The Pakistan extends stay for Afghan nationals decision was announced by the Foreign Office, which confirmed that nearly 16,000 Afghan women, children, and elderly people would receive extensions to remain in Pakistan on humanitarian grounds. The announcement was made during the Foreign Office’s weekly media briefing on Thursday.
Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the humanitarian measure reflects Pakistan’s commitment to addressing exceptional cases while continuing to manage immigration in accordance with national laws. He noted that the extension applies to vulnerable individuals requiring temporary protection.
The spokesperson also clarified that no Afghan citizen holding a valid visa or legal travel documents had been deported from Pakistan. He stressed that immigration authorities continue to differentiate between documented and undocumented foreign nationals while implementing government policies.
According to Andrabi, around 89,000 cases are currently being processed under the IFRP framework. He said the authorities remain engaged in reviewing applications to ensure that eligible individuals receive decisions in line with the established legal and administrative procedures.
Responding to questions about reports of an incident near the Chitral border region, Andrabi said the government had not received verified information regarding the matter. He emphasised that reports originating from across the border require proper ground verification before any official assessment can be made.
The Foreign Office urged caution in commenting on unverified reports, stating that responsible communication is essential when dealing with sensitive cross-border developments. Officials said factual confirmation remains necessary before drawing conclusions about such incidents.
The Pakistan extends stay for Afghan nationals decision highlights Islamabad’s effort to balance humanitarian considerations with immigration management. Authorities say legal procedures will continue while support is provided to vulnerable Afghan nationals in accordance with the government’s policy framework.
