Pakistan bans jobs, housing for illegal Afghan immigrants

Pakistan has imposed a comprehensive ban on illegal Afghan immigrants, prohibiting their access to jobs, housing, and hotel accommodation, officials said on Wednesday.

At a press briefing in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said those assisting undocumented Afghans in jobs and accommodation would face severe legal consequences.

“There will be no extension for Afghan nationals without valid passports and visas,” he said. “There is now zero tolerance for undocumented Afghan nationals.”

Sharing data, Chaudhry stated that 84,869 Afghans had been deported since April 1, including 25,320 with Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), and 59,549 without any documents.

He added that since the start of Pakistan’s one-document policy, more than 907,000 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from different parts of the country.

Chaudhry said transit points had been established where Afghan nationals awaiting repatriation were provided with medical aid, shelter, food, and security arrangements.

He warned that anyone found renting property or employing undocumented Afghans—whether for residential, commercial, or business purposes—would be prosecuted under Pakistani law.

“There will be legal action against those providing even temporary shelter or hotel stays to undocumented immigrants,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar announced plans to visit Kabul “within days” to resolve ongoing tensions.

He said preparatory discussions had been held, and the visit aimed to reinitiate high-level dialogue that has been stalled in recent years.

During his recent meeting with Afghan Acting Minister for Commerce Haji Nooruddin Azizi in Islamabad, both sides stressed mutual cooperation and regional connectivity.

The ministers reaffirmed commitment to improving bilateral trade and agreed that sustained political contact is essential for long-term stability in the region.