Afghan refugees will have to leave Pakistan come what may, says Safron minister

E-Paper | February 23, 2026

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for States and Frontier Regions (Safron) Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch on Thursday made it clear that Afghan refugees will have to leave Pakistan “come what may”.

“Pakistan cannot host Afghan refugees for further period,” the federal minister said.

Qadir Baloch said Afghan refugees have occupied over one million jobs in Pakistan, thus creating financial problems for the locals.

“It is difficult for the locals in various cities to find jobs as over one million Afghan refugees are working in Pakistan,” the minister added.

The country’s economy is unable to bear the burden over two million refugees and “they (refugees) are left with no other option but to leave Pakistan”, said Baloch.

Editorial: Plight of Afghan refugees

The minister alleged that Afghanistan didn’t fulfil its promise regarding repatriation of refugees.

“Afghan government didn’t act upon the plan devised by Pakistan for repatriation of its citizens.”

Qadir Baloch termed the apprehensions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government regarding Afghan Refugees as genuine.

“The KP government is right in saying that Afghan refugees are hurting the economy and culture of the province beside their involvement in crimes,” the minister added.

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Alien

Jun 30, 2016 07:14pm

Spot on ...

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khan

Jun 30, 2016 07:15pm

No comment, this is not the first time we hear this.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 30, 2016 07:15pm

Good stand but these refugees should not be made refugees again, they should have a respectable exit & settlement in Afghanistan. Those who forced these Afghans to become refugees should bear all expenditures to rehabilitate them in Afghanistan

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Pakistani

Jun 30, 2016 07:18pm

PM is extending their say but his minister wants them to leave, what kind of pmln politics is this? We all pakistanis say loud n clear than afghans must leave no more extensions, enough is enough

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Raj

Jun 30, 2016 07:20pm

The country’s economy is unable to bear the burden over two billion refugees and “they (refugees) are left with no other option but to leave Pakistan”,

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usman778

Jun 30, 2016 07:38pm

India will accept them I am sure.

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AKRAM

Jun 30, 2016 07:38pm

These threats will conplicate the issue.We cant make them leave forcefully as that would be inhuman and against human rights also that would fuel more militancy in Pakistan.What we need is proper discussion with Afghanistan govt and a time bound schedule for their return..

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WowJustWow

Jun 30, 2016 07:42pm

Refugees??? They are people.....not commodities...

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Aisha

Jun 30, 2016 07:44pm

Pakistan should have integrated them and made them citizens through naturalization if born outside while those Afghans born on Pakistani soil are Afghans. What memories will those refugees leave Pakistan with? Pakistan never cared about them? They will harbor hatred towards Pakistan when they go back and even fight the Taliban that is backed by Pakistan. What will that mean then? A civil war and that will be exported to KPK which the Afghans lay claim to?

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Skeptic

Jun 30, 2016 07:46pm

After the border skirmishes in which Pakistani officers lost their lives, Pakistan cannot be to generous and considerate towards the Afghans. They will never appreciate how much Pakistan has endured because of them, and how much Pakistani economy, internal security and foreign relations have suffered because of politics being played by Afghan government, aided by India and the U.S.

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Aisha

Jun 30, 2016 07:49pm

Lets hope the establishment and government hit heads now

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Mahmood

Jun 30, 2016 07:49pm

Yet another glaring example of dysfunctional government, where the Safron Minister and the country's PM have conflicting views and are issuing completely opposite policy statements on the Afghan refugees matter! Apparently this minister does not have the phone number for NS in London to discuss the issues. As always, only in Pakistan.

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anees from zaida

Jun 30, 2016 07:49pm

Dead right !!!

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anees from zaida

Jun 30, 2016 07:51pm

Send them to their 'brotherly' country India.

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Salman

Jun 30, 2016 07:57pm

Then why PM extend their stay? If we start their dispatch today, still it will take years to complete the process.

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Wariss

Jun 30, 2016 07:58pm

It is true that their livelihood is in Pakistan but, I want Afghans to go back to their own country and don't get humiliated everyday

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Rao

Jun 30, 2016 07:58pm

If you push them by force, you are going to create 2 million enemies right there on border ...Have patience and create fav conditions so they vacate themselves..any action with force create reaction with force........

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Wariss

Jun 30, 2016 07:59pm

@Abdulla Hussain Do you really know who made them refugee?

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SardarSuri

Jun 30, 2016 08:03pm

I'm fairly certain that these Afghans will not be going anywhere.

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Gul khan

Jun 30, 2016 08:10pm

Then why the 6 months extension?

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Houlbelat

Jun 30, 2016 08:11pm

But, who will listen to you? After 35 years, even the third generation of refugees have born who know nothing about Afghanistan. Better consider giving them political asylum, if their parent Government agrees.

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Shah

Jun 30, 2016 08:14pm

Spot on. Refugees have to leave. PM is just extending date for last person to leave not first person. Give them respectable safe return. Do not do politics on Afghan return.

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flying star

Jun 30, 2016 08:47pm

100% agree Mr Safron

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Accountability

Jun 30, 2016 08:49pm

Very good and patriotic statement. Time to start sending afghan refugees back to Afghanistan in small batches every month. Otherwise 30 year refugee stay would become 50 year stay and create too much chaos in Pakistani society. Political leaders owe it to pakistani people to solve this lingering problem as soon as possible. Pakistani citizens need to live and enjoy their life without foreigners hanging out on street corners, causing problems or taking away their jobs. Time for inaction is over, this is time to show leadership, take action and solve this problem.

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flying star

Jun 30, 2016 08:51pm

@Abdulla Hussain excellent ,agree.

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Jun 30, 2016 08:52pm

Best course of action would be to adopt them as residents, once they pay their taxes and come within tax net, offer them citizenship. These people are third generation Afghanis and have potentially lost their roots in Afghanistan. I think the fault of Afghan Govt should not be paid by these poor people but they have to comply to the conditions of taxes.

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Accountability

Jun 30, 2016 08:52pm

@Abdulla Hussain It is becoming obvious that Afghanistan does not want these refugees back in Afghanistan. Does Pakistan has any options or its stuck with this thirty years problem for next fifty years? Is there any leader who can solve this problems, instead of postponing it?

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Truth

Jun 30, 2016 09:08pm

Afghanistan leadership has back-stabbed Pakistan after it had helped Afghanistan for over 50 years. I feel sorry for the refugees but amongst these refugees terrorists sneek in. Pakistan still never blamed Afghanistan because it knows these terrorists are forign funded. But Afghanistan blaming Pakistan for its terrorism was a big suprise. Pakistan has been betrayed by trying to help them. Now Pakistan is suffering all because of Afghanistan and its friendship with India which is an enemy of Kashmiris and Pakistan.

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awais

Jun 30, 2016 09:12pm

We were thinking, we are doing a service, by providing the refugees a shelter. But out of the blue Achakzai made them master of the land. This is a treason. Achakzai should be sent back to the land where he belongs along with these masters

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parveez shafi

Jun 30, 2016 09:21pm

These refuges about 3 million who came to Pakistan when the Russian invaded Afghanistan I am sure I read this somewhere. If this is a fact I am sure that figure must have doubled, if not more. These people have moved to all parts of Pakistan, it is too late to send them back to Afghanistan. But any criminals should be sent back.

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ENGR OSMAN

Jun 30, 2016 09:28pm

I am sorry Honorable Minister, but this is a very delicate matter, as pashtun people are sensitive about their culture and people. Forcing Afghan refugees back without proper incentive and Afghan government involvement will create more problems for Pakistan as they feed Taliban directly and become more anti-Pakistan. Instead the need of the hour is de-weaponization of these refugees. Now that their children are born in Pakistan it is morally wrong to force them back. You must document them all and ask them to pay taxes.

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Najjee

Jun 30, 2016 09:31pm

They have no loyalties with Pakistan, why should they stay.

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k k tiwari

Jun 30, 2016 09:47pm

If they leave Pak , they will be more dangerous to Pak . Think once more. It is better to cage them

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PakistanFirst

Jun 30, 2016 10:28pm

Making the Afghan refugees escape-goat for our own ill-planning and economic/security/social policy failures. When it comes to Afghanistan and Afghans, Pakistan sounds very much like Donald Trump.

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M Akram

Jun 30, 2016 10:44pm

I know it is unfortunate that the refugees have to spend more time in the refugee camps instead of the safety of their own motherland. After all Pakistan and its people have hosted the Afghan refugees for many years and may be time has come for Afghanistan and their beloved friend India to welcome these people with open arms. Pakistan should go further and open air, sea and land corridors for these people to go to India in Indian buses, aeroplanes and then we can see how long they the Indians will tolerate these thankless people - I bet they be tired within weeks and months. And if the UN does not like the idea then they themselves can set up "safe haven camps" within Afghanistan itself but plse let Pakistan be free for this never ending humanitarian blackmail.

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Asif

Jun 30, 2016 10:49pm

Please send them back or may be to their new friend India. We had enough.

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Motherland

Jun 30, 2016 10:50pm

They should be sent back. We have hosted them for 4 decades. Now afghanistan is peaceful.

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Fazal Karim

Jun 30, 2016 10:55pm

Afghan refugees are hurting rights of people in Karachi by illegally occupying their land and plots. large portion of Quetta Town Cooperative Housing scheme on Super Highway is occupied by these refugees. Owners of plot cant dare visit their plots. Police has to take permission to such clusters. Such Afghan settlements have created serious law and order conditions. Government of Sindh should pursue their registration and repatriation as soon as possible.

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Bano

Jun 30, 2016 11:11pm

Are these Afghan workers better than Pakistanis? If so then the problem is not with them, the problem is with us. We are lazy and have be come too greedy. But if they are just suckers then they should go back and find the jobs there. I am living in Texas and have the same problem here Americans don't want to do low paying work where as Mexicans take any thing available consequently those in support of closing the boarders are getting more vocal.

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Requiescat

Jun 30, 2016 11:14pm

Just a political stunt. Has anyone done a serious analysis of the 'displacement?' For example, is the so called displacement in the transport, construction and services (restaurants) not actually an additionality -- in other words, job creation? Also, what proportion of the refugees are in the working age category? By and large the refugees are poor people doing dirty and difficult jobs no one else wants to do. They shouldn't be harassed by political fat cats with offshore accounts.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 30, 2016 11:39pm

@Wariss: My friend, these peoples ran away because of extensive bombing in their areas.

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Abdulla Hussain

Jun 30, 2016 11:44pm

@Accountability: These refugees must be sent back, no two opinion about it. US & its coalition partners must take the responsibility of ordering the Afghan government of accepting them & help in their rehabilitation.

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Global peace

Jun 30, 2016 11:53pm

Lets see how will pakistan do this asking them to leave their own land .. KP is their from generation.

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Mirpur

Jul 01, 2016 12:10am

Your great Mr Balouch and a true Pakistani

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Aatir

Jul 01, 2016 01:03am

India has such good economy I am sure they have the best interests for Afghanistan in their hearts they can take the refugees. Problem solved.

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Lahori Kid

Jul 01, 2016 01:15am

Afghans have taken jobs from Pakistanis? I really hope he didn't just figure this out, Afghans destroyed the trucking industry in Pakistan when they came over back in 80's, These Afghan truck owners were charging almost half the going rate to steal the jobs from Pakistani drivers/owners,if my memory serves me right, They have been here for 30 years, its nothing new. Not to sound like Donald Trump(hate him) but the Afghans also brought a lot of crime with them.

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M.ASIF

Jul 01, 2016 01:35am

"Afghan govt did not act upon the plan Pakistan devised to repatriat its citizens". This is big question mark. How long a poor county will continue to host refugees and why? They are hurting the culture and econmy. Should we continue to consider repatriation inhuman or it will fuel militancy. This or that fear, we are unable to take decision so we better accept them as our citizens

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Rashid Sultan

Jul 01, 2016 01:38am

Always blame the immigrants and refugees for all that ails us. Good politics.

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nnnn

Jul 01, 2016 01:36am

well done minister!

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Fried Chillies

Jul 01, 2016 02:08am

I think Pakistan should grant them citizenship and involve them in CPEC project. Most of them become employees and start paying taxes

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Jul 01, 2016 02:43am

@Aisha They already have hatred towards pakistan that is why so many of them are involved in crimes against state...being a Pakistani citizens ourselves I think now we should care about what our fellow pakistanis are going through rather than what Afghans think of us.

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Mir Popalzai

Jul 01, 2016 04:21am

well done General, we totally agree with you.

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Jul 01, 2016 04:59am

The man has no idea about how an economy works.

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sak

Jul 01, 2016 05:28am

What about who bought Pakistani passport and ID card?

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سے Shaam (Hanafi)

Jul 01, 2016 05:57am

Why is Pakistan asking for donations from the World Community and UN for Afghan refugees?

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Khan

Jul 01, 2016 06:20am

@Global peace Very immature to say such stuff .. they have no business in KPK .. any one can lay claim to anywhere but that doesn't mean anything in real world .. People of KPK have been asking government to send them back from many decades now but since the Gov is run from Punjab they wouldn't listen to us.

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Khan

Jul 01, 2016 06:25am

@Aisha I'm from Charsadda and they have been living here from past 4 decades now and have never liked us anyways .. even their well off politicians have houses here. If you have been following news they have been crossing the border on daily basis at will .. even their so called third generation spends time back home and come back here to take advantage of free healthcare, education etc.

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Kashmiri Nationalist

Jul 01, 2016 06:53am

They must go home. America and EU should assume some responsibility for a change

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Kashmiri Nationalist

Jul 01, 2016 06:56am

Those with citizenship and their families should get amnesty those here illegally must go

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wasim

Jul 01, 2016 07:00am

well afgans should go back if afganistan is not in a state of war that is civil or any other war. they are pro and anti pakistan and we cannot trust! kp can have these people but then what about the kp people and their jobs especially the poor. these afgans are pathan and pathans are our brothers, its the other kinds of afgans that are the issues! there are afgans in kp"

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jagmohan

Jul 01, 2016 09:00am

Is there any time limit to the tag of being called a refugee? If refugees remained too long and produced 3rd generation then,new borns have the legal tenet of jus soli,naturalisation. In the given circumstances and boundary problems between Pak and Afg,the course may to keep peace and any hurried action, not suitable.

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irrelevan

Jul 01, 2016 09:00am

Pakistan should use a more diplomatic language while addressing the issue of Afghan refugees. Perhaps it's time we ask American and Afghan governments to 'do more' for the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees. Highlight the reluctance of Afghan government to act upon the plan devised by Pakistan rather than simply telling them to leave, which might sound a bit harsh in the context of prevailing refugee crisis around the globe.

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Gujranwala

Jul 01, 2016 09:27am

Send them out at any cost. That would be winning slogan of next election after electricity.

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Ryan

Jul 01, 2016 01:24pm

@Aisha Name an Afghan who doesn't hold a grudge against Pakistan? For over 3 decades we have provided them refuge and all they can do is complain, bad mouth and malign Pakistan at the behest of their beloved India!

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Jawwad Ahmed

Jul 01, 2016 01:52pm

@AKRAM you can't be serious

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Syed Chishti

Jul 01, 2016 01:59pm

Is Pakistan not being supported by UNHCR in maintaining these refugee camp's?Pakistan has not taken 2 million+refugees for last more than thirty years without UNHCR involvement.It's Pakistan's right to regulate the presence of Afghan refugee's under national&international law. Repatriation of unregistered Afghan refugees is an important issue that must be solved through bilateral discussion with Afghan government. Illegal Afghan's status must be handled by conducting criminal background check through security agencies. A systematic system of repatriation of Afghan's is a direct solution to existing refugee problem. Any Afghan refugee who has acquired Pakistani national passport&ID cards through it's official means has established themselves&their dependents as Pakistani residents. Pakistan will have to send Afghan's back with proper & mutual understanding of both countries. Pakistan must repatriate Afghan criminals who are identified as terrorists &sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.

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ozzy

Jul 01, 2016 08:09pm

@Truth spot on brother

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Dr Naveed

Jul 02, 2016 10:47am

I would really appreciate if this is done by government but I am afraid not if they are really serious can solved a lot problem for both countries But the thing is we have to do it very brotherly manners they are our assets and we can have a lot depends on them we should give a financial support for each and every family who will move for at least 5 years We should make a brief programs how to pay and how much we should pay each family for at least five years that they easily get settled in Afghanistan it is chance of Pakistan life time I urge my government to do that and do with utmost respect and dignity

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