Pakistan suspends readmission agreements with western countries

E-Paper | March 11, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Friday said Pakistan has suspended readmission agreements with western countries, except the United Kingdom, because of "blatant misuse", reported Radio Pakistan.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, the minister claimed most countries have been deporting illegal Pakistani citizens "without verification", whereas under readmission agreements Pakistanis travelling illegally to any western country have to be deported after proper verification.

He added that at least 90,000 people were sent back to Pakistan during the last year.

Nisar also shed some light on another "dangerous trend" that had emerged over the last several months, under which Pakistanis travelling abroad without documents are deported on charges of terrorism without proper verification.

Even their nationalities are not being verified to ascertain whether or not they are actually Pakistanis, said the interior minister.

Responding to a question, the interior minister said India's "true face stands exposed before the international community" because of recent acts of violence against minorities, especially Muslims.

Earlier, it was reported by Russian news agency Sputnik that Pakistan had expressed readiness to accept its citizens who illegally arrived in the European Union (EU).

After a meeting with the adviser to prime minister on foreign affairs, Sartaj Aziz, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said that they "already had bilateral agreements between EU and Pakistan for return and readmission."

The EU has been struggling with a massive influx of over 710,000 migrants since the beginning of 2015 as hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict-stricken regions are seeking asylum in the bloc.

European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos had said on Wednesday that he was set to visit Pakistan soon to discuss plans to send back Pakistani migrants who had made their way to Europe.

Also read: EU warns of tough action against Pakistani migrants

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timetostopthis

Nov 06, 2015 07:50pm

90000 Pakistanis sent back last year..says it all. Time for introspection in Pakistan. Why are so many people leave the country.

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Alien

Nov 06, 2015 07:51pm

Pakistan should stand and tell the world that Pakistan is not dumping ground where anyone can dump anything anywhere ..........

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M Jamal

Nov 06, 2015 07:57pm

It is regrettable that Pakistani nationals who were welcomed in western and other countries almost upto two decades back are now termed as unwanted and terrorist.Those who travel in government limousines and 4 wheels must make arrangements that our borders are sealed and no one is allowed to sneak out without proper papers as it bring bad name to the country.Simultaneously they must make job opportunities in the country instead of doing corrupt practices.

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mustanid

Nov 06, 2015 07:58pm

How can any one dump a non pakistani into Pakistan? Unless some is getting paid for accepting these person, otherwise the proper ptocedure is to verify the citizenship of the person, before agreeing to let them fly back into the country.

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Khyber

Nov 06, 2015 07:58pm

A large number of migrants flooding Europe are Pakistanis and Afghans. They are trying to blend in with the Syrians and Iraqis.

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Shaukat Ali Khan

Nov 06, 2015 07:59pm

Bravo; Nisar !!!

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Capt C M Khan

Nov 06, 2015 08:04pm

But they will never send and Westerner back!

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Divergence

Nov 06, 2015 08:07pm

I think Europe will revert many Muslims especially those who migrated from Middle east , not just Pakistanis.

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Ghaznavi

Nov 06, 2015 08:12pm

Please make sure that EU does not make Pakistan its dumping ground for Afghans and Bangladeshi citizens. It is very convenient for Afghans and Bengalis to pose as Pakistanis.

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Asif

Nov 06, 2015 08:20pm

Dear Interior Minister, Could you first check who is sending these Pakistanis to European Countries illegally. There is a strong Mafia of human traffickers in Pakistan who take money from uneducated people in Pakistan with a promise to have them settled in foreign countries. These uneducated people, when caught, are then used by the foreign media to damage our reputation. We cannot blame others until we correct ourselves first.

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Aziz

Nov 06, 2015 08:24pm

This step does not make sense at all. The govt. needs to think why Pakistanis are leaving the country in the first place. We, the Pakistanis, are too emotional and make snappy decisions just for the sake of making decisions. We don't tend to think long term at all. Pathetic govt.

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Dr. Abdul Rahman

Nov 06, 2015 08:24pm

The price we paid indulging ourselves in war. Pakistan will become like an African country or north Korea if we did not move forward to put our steps into industry 4.0

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Asif

Nov 06, 2015 08:26pm

@Khyber Very well said. This is exactly what I was going to mention. There is a mass migration happening due to current situation in Syria and people migrating from Syria are genuine migrants. But strong mafia of human traffickers in Pakistan are exploiting this situation and trying to mix illegal migrants from Pakistan with those from Syria. These traffickers are the real culprits who are damaging our already damaged reputation in western countries.

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Khurram jadoon

Nov 06, 2015 08:27pm

All afghanis use that channel and western money to get back into Pakistan. A good step - make it even better if someone leaves the country while on ECL or at large due to crime etc just invoke their citizenship. No need to come back ever !!!

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Najib

Nov 06, 2015 08:28pm

Pakistan has a duty to take back persons who are citizens of Pakistan.

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fawad

Nov 06, 2015 08:34pm

"Even their nationalities are not being verified to ascertain whether or not they are actually Pakistanis" How con one sent to Pakistan without being Pakistani, though case might be, those people not carrying passport, but who goes illegally and carries document. By denying them readmission, only Pakistani citizens are suffering.

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Kandhkoti

Nov 06, 2015 08:36pm

@M Jamal illegal immigrants are not welcomed by any country, irrespective of his status, country and religion. Even a tiny country like Senegal deported many Americans some years ago. Millions of Pakistanis are also working in Europe, America and ME on legal documents and no one dares to touch them.

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zeezoo

Nov 06, 2015 08:38pm

after twenty years..we are finally seeing a real interior minister...

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Masood

Nov 06, 2015 08:41pm

There are thousands of Afghanis living in States who pose as Pakistanis. They bring their barbaric customs over here, commit crime and guess what ? they are all classified as Pakistanis. Now who is responsible for them ?

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Yousaf

Nov 06, 2015 08:46pm

First, we have to create an environment where our skilled and unskilled labour all have well paid job opportunities in Pakistan. Also fresh candidates from colleges and universities must find proper jobs. Strict laws to be passed for those who become overstay in overseas and do not return during the period for which they are allowed visa and if not, severe fine and long imprisonment must be awarded when returned with no bail. this will stop people staying illegally in overseas. Bangladesh, our brothers, do 3 months enquiry before they issue us visa. This says it all.

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PakistanFirst

Nov 06, 2015 08:47pm

A lot of Iranis, Afghanis, Indian Muslims, Rohigniyas, Bangladeshis are living in Pakistan. Rohigniyas have a strong case for asylum in Pakistan but the rest should be kicked out. Also, Pakistani authorities should also make sure that Karachi is not made haven for all non-Afghan refugees - Lahore, Islamabad, Quetta and Peshawar should also share this burden.

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Ajay

Nov 06, 2015 08:54pm

Shame on India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. So many years after independence we cannot give jobs and opportunities to our youngsters. What we need is a ONE CHILD POLICY.

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M Akram

Nov 06, 2015 09:03pm

One of the best foreign policy decision in the last 69 years.

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Sirjee

Nov 06, 2015 09:07pm

Once CPEC is done, Pakistan will become an economic powerhouse and everyone will come to Pakistan instead...

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Silly

Nov 06, 2015 09:22pm

@timetostopthis - don't you read first 90,0000 sent back without verification that means they were introspection in Pakistan but sent back without verification.

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Khan

Nov 06, 2015 09:34pm

There's no hope for them in pakistan. Poor people are facing starvation and other poverty related problems while our elite politician owns business sugar mills and anything else you can imagine and having a luxury lifestyle. Our politician do only one thing for the poor masses that is give them a lollipop of Benazir income programs, yellow cabs and laptop and kiss an package which is 5000 rupees per head What else do you want ghareeb awam? Suck in it and make sure to vote again PPP or PMLN

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khusboo

Nov 06, 2015 09:41pm

@Ajay what has india to do with this issue ??

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Nov 06, 2015 09:42pm

@Ghaznavi, Because these Afghanis and Bengalis are traveling on Fake Pakistani Passports.

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Voice of San

Nov 06, 2015 09:48pm

No matter what others say I must say you Mr. Nisar Ali Khan, you are the best interior minister. Bold steps you are taking that's really what ministry of interior's job is all about. I'm glad that our Country is now heading towards the right direction.

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Syed

Nov 06, 2015 09:51pm

Good Shot!!!!!. We should teach them lesson

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Nov 06, 2015 10:17pm

But how can Pakistan make a blanket decision like this .... how can Pakistan refuse to take back its own genuine citizens ... it is their right to come back to Pakistan even if due to crazy circumstances/insecurity or economic pressures they had to leave... I hope this statement will mean that Pakistan will verify its own citizens and take THEM back for sure as we DO NOT want them to languish in jails in western countries because their own country is not willing to have them back WESTERN countries would NEVER let their own citizens just rot in jails, stuck in limbo in another country Mr Nisar, do not doubly punish your people who run away because of the lack of opportunities and insecurity and failed policies of recurring governments like yours

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Steve Boston USA

Nov 06, 2015 10:35pm

@mustanid Well if a person arrives on a flight from Pakistan whether he or she is Pakistani, will be returned back to Pakistan where they boarded the flight from, if they do not have proper documents in the country of arrival.

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Taimur

Nov 06, 2015 10:36pm

@mustanid Most of the Pakistanis who are sent to europe by human smuglers destroy their passports after reaching europe. Nobody can verify their nationality then :)

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M Jamal

Nov 06, 2015 10:39pm

@Kandhkoti Sir,two decades back even those who traveled to west on any visa or enter those country by any means were all legalised.Regretfully majority entered these countries on visit or student visas and not on immigration visa.Now,the time has changed so how come these 90000 people repatriated in one year had left Pakistan illegally and who is responsible.Please make a JIT as the crime is more horrendous than target killing as it is holocaust for 90000 families with business of US $900 million if the mafia charged Rs One million per person.We look forward how it will be dealt with or like Model Town incidence.

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Muzamil Khan

Nov 06, 2015 10:46pm

Great, now they will all remain locked up in prison till their identities are established through investigation and they are accepted back into Pakistan. Serves them right for bringing bad name to Pakistan.

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Mahmood

Nov 06, 2015 10:56pm

90,000 deported back to Pakistan in one year alone? I hate to imagine how many actually left the country, got asylum or refugees status in Europe or elsewhere and were able to settle down. Or how many illegals manage to 'go underground' without being detected or apprehended!? If one was to judge by all the bling bling that is on display during 'Fashion Week' this or the other, one gets the impression Pakistan is such prosperous, westernized country that should be a magnate for the rest of the world! Yeah Right!

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Nasser Mirza

Nov 06, 2015 11:00pm

Excellent news. Appreciate the timely action taken by our interior minister.

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zafar Iqbal

Nov 06, 2015 11:10pm

@mustanid Afghan travelling on Pakistani documents. If they don't possess documents they still show themselves to be Pakistanis as Pakistan is considered a better place to land in than Afghanistan.

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Pakistani

Nov 06, 2015 11:35pm

Sir ji, Is Pakistani nation a beggar nation? See we have many opportunities in our Country. Bring our Children and Sons back to our Pakistan

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Abdul Karim

Nov 06, 2015 11:37pm

The danger is a lot of Afghans and Bengalis will say they are Pakistanis and try to come here.

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Khanra

Nov 06, 2015 11:38pm

Many came from pakistan but are not pakistanis. Does anyone realize that many of those "Pakistanis" are actually afghans who are leaving the country now that pakistan has started to close down afghan refugee camps?

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IBN E ASHFAQUE

Nov 06, 2015 11:45pm

He added that at least 90,000 people were sent back to Pakistan during the last year. You guys have destroyed governance in Pakistan and that is the reason that the brightest and the young have to leave Pakistan.....The elite consisting of ruling politicians as well as the establishment have to consider how they are mismanaging Pakistan......

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fahd

Nov 06, 2015 11:52pm

although we should set our own house in order here. But for a change someone in govt after a long time taking a stand against bullying by the powerful west. well done Ch. Nisar. Keep it up. No more compromise on self esteem and national pride.

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Babloo

Nov 07, 2015 12:29am

International airlines may suspend flights from Pakistan if the agreement is suspended.

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Ahmed

Nov 07, 2015 12:36am

Deportation of Pakistani national is reflection of as to how others sees us. They have figured out that Pakistan allows their nationals to travel abroad by any means legal or illegal. Why not start better managing point of departures. How come people travel without valid documents in the first place.

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Ghaznavi

Nov 07, 2015 12:46am

@OZ " Because these Afghanis and Bengalis are traveling on Fake Pakistani Passports." Agreed. One more reason for returning NADRA to Armed Forces control. Government is good at only one thing i.e. ruining institutions.

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Nov 07, 2015 12:59am

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J.A.G

Nov 07, 2015 01:01am

@Alien , A great number of Pakistani land in U.S and Canada without any identifications and claim refugee, they burn their passports in the plane and have a story of injustice cruelty and victimization in Pakistan. Pakistan must take responsibility for their citizens any where in the world and should take them back..

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Truth Bites

Nov 07, 2015 01:12am

@Alien They only dump the stuff back to their native countries ..... not elsewhere

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imran ghori

Nov 07, 2015 01:19am

Rising population,,, poor economy,, caroupt govt,,

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Adnan

Nov 07, 2015 01:27am

I personally seen Afghans who came in UK on Pakistani passports, they start saying a lot bad about Pakistan once became British , shame to all involve in this

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a. ali

Nov 07, 2015 01:37am

dubious statement by Nissar.

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Amir Khan

Nov 07, 2015 01:58am

@Pakistani Yes Sir, our country lives on borrowings from the world bank, which is funded by western powers. So theu have rod in Pakistan's back side and if our Minister talks too loudly , they will turn the screws and our minister will withdraw his statement and apologise.

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Amir Khan

Nov 07, 2015 02:00am

@Ghaznavi we have too much ego to admit our failure. Bengalis are more respected and they have a better name than Pakistanis in a place called "the world" which is outside Pakistan.

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Sonny Afridi

Nov 07, 2015 02:01am

Most of those fleeing are afghan refugees hiding behind Pakistani identities, or they are Arabs. The same way I don't want illegals to be here in Pakistan, all countries should respect that illegal means illegal. All these wars in Middle East have made a huge mess! So much for "Arab Spring"

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Caz

Nov 07, 2015 02:20am

Europe must preserve its character and heritage. It is not a feeding ground for the entire world.

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Voice of Amreeka

Nov 07, 2015 02:37am

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Voice of Amreeka

Nov 07, 2015 02:37am

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Voice of Amreeka

Nov 07, 2015 02:37am

@mustanid Afghan travelling on Pakistani documents. If they don't possess documents they still show themselves to be Pakistanis as Pakistan is considered a better place to land in than Afghanistan.

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sandeep

Nov 07, 2015 02:55am

@Ajay one child policy is a bad policy..and will never work in democratic setup..see how china is suffering now.strict two child is better.

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ali mohammed

Nov 07, 2015 03:09am

@Masood when we come out of this denial? blame other for everthing.... we never acknowledge any problem

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Thoughtful

Nov 07, 2015 03:11am

@Capt C M Khan Yes, the Westerners are coming to live in Pakistan, a country of enormous progress and opportunity.

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Thoughtful

Nov 07, 2015 03:12am

Pakistani illegal migrants should be deported and the western action is correct.

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Gfellow

Nov 07, 2015 03:15am

@Sirjee Chinese are already there. So it has already started

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Nov 07, 2015 03:17am

@Asif Agree. Well commented.

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Nov 07, 2015 03:19am

@Masood Rubbish. Where did you get this information?

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Steve Boston

Nov 07, 2015 03:23am

What Ch. Nasir is missing that it is a Pakistan problem, not Western countries. A few readers say these are Bengali and Afghan. Wake up these are Pakistani. Don't try to shovel the problem under rug. India had same problem at the same level around 20 years back. The problem is still there but the level is way below. Grow Pakistan. Work hard to create jobs and problem will go away.

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MAlvi

Nov 07, 2015 03:29am

Successive corrupt governments in Pakistan have failed to make Pakistan a livable country. You cannot blame Pakistanis for leaving the country. But, you can blame the Pakistanis for electing these corrupt governments repeatedly.

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Khan-dan

Nov 07, 2015 04:03am

There is an urgent need to improve the Pakistan brand image to peace loving people.

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Faisal

Nov 07, 2015 04:43am

I don't understand. What does the readmission agreement imply here? What exactly is Pakistan doing by suspending the agreement? anyone?

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mark

Nov 07, 2015 05:24am

Pakistanis do not know why are they being treated like that !

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sunasaveen

Nov 07, 2015 05:27am

@Divergence Your are right

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sunasaveen

Nov 07, 2015 05:32am

@fawad see, many people from all those places of urs around... used the chance of to be syrians as they will be taken into EU as a refugee. Many syrians lost documents in the sea, all the others non syrians also said they lost documents and they are syrians, for coming inside... Now it is need to check a data base of digital finger print (like we do in europe to control us) and tha information is with ur minister...

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saeed

Nov 07, 2015 05:46am

@Steve Boston USA They go to Turkey, throw away their documents and pay smugglers to take them to Greece. In Greece, any one with color skin is considered Pakistani. The problem is on both sides.

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USN

Nov 07, 2015 05:55am

why do you need verification for "illegal Pakistani" before deporting anyways?

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Oshkosh, London

Nov 07, 2015 06:06am

Who else is supposed take back Pakistanis who migrates illegally?

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MalishKhan,KP

Nov 07, 2015 06:10am

I cannot believe our brothers are leaving this beautiful country which was created at a great human cost.

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Jay

Nov 07, 2015 06:12am

Aren't these people citizens of Pakistan?

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Rohit

Nov 07, 2015 06:50am

Good time for anyone from Pakistan who wishes to emigrate :)

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someone

Nov 07, 2015 07:35am

Eye opener for all Pakistanis about their image in the world.

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Must read this..

Nov 07, 2015 07:47am

@Babloo .Don't believe Chaudhry Nisar ,he may be exaggerating this time.

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Beinghuman@oneworld.com

Nov 07, 2015 09:39am

Why are charges required to deport Pakistanis traveling without proper documents? When you travel without proper documents, you've already broken a law. Hence deportation. Thought Nisar would know that.

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Taimoor Khan

Nov 07, 2015 09:42am

This is so disgraceful for all Pakistanis -- we talk about CPEC and we talk about metro bus and we talk about increased security -- look at all Pakistanis fleeing Pakistan! We should be ashamed that we have brought our country to such a poor and pathetic state. We should learn from India, and respectfully copy their economic and technological successes.

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Mohamad USA

Nov 07, 2015 10:15am

Seriously, most illegals will prefer European jails to deportation.

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Krishna

Nov 07, 2015 10:42am

@Pakistani : How sons are different than children?

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I. Khan

Nov 07, 2015 10:44am

I have met people being deported to Pakistan and it is heart breaking. Corruption, nepotism, racism, and injustice in Pakistan has forced our young generation to leave the country in search of a better future. This latest decision by Choudhry Nisar to dis-own our citizens is cruel and a slap on the face of every Pakistani's inside the country and abroad.

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zia

Nov 07, 2015 06:36pm

This is really injustice,&partiality they have no right to Exiled only Muslims from their country

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leela4fun

Nov 08, 2015 11:51pm

This is great that Ch. Nisar can talk to western countries eye-to-eye. These western countries are trying to malign Pakistan's image. While Pakistan takes a principled stand on not even accepting dead bodies of purportedly Pakistani fighters in foreign lands, why should it accept the burden of people claiming to be of the superior martial Pakistani race?

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Nov 09, 2015 02:04am

Why they are deported back from all over the world?

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Nov 09, 2015 07:56am

@Alien As such, world is not the dumping ground for - ' persona- non - grata ' .

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Rajesh

Nov 09, 2015 02:02pm

@Amir Khan well said.. You seem to be sensible.

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