Pakistan says working on ‘arrangement’ for Afghans awaiting US and other visas, at-risk individuals

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Updated 08 November 2023
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Pakistan says working on ‘arrangement’ for Afghans awaiting US and other visas, at-risk individuals

  • In interview to Arab News, PM Kakar says gave 30-day expulsion deadline because wanted resettlement completed during his tenure
  • Says interior ministry has database of at-risk Afghans, working with Afghan groups to agree on arrangement to protect vulnerable people

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar has said Afghan applicants for special visas to the US and other western nations had a right to stay in Pakistan for a “limited time,” adding that Islamabad was working with Afghan groups to reach an “agreement” to protect those who face the risk of persecution at home.
Pakistan had set a Nov 1. deadline for all illegal immigrants, including some 1.73 million undocumented Afghans, to leave the country or face forcible expulsion. Since the passing of the deadline, tens of thousands of Afghans have left the country, which has hosted over 4 million Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Kabul in 1979.
About 600,000 Afghans have also crossed over into Pakistan since the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021 after the hasty pullout of US and its NATO allies that ended America’s longest war. Among them, over 20,000 await the processing of applications for US Special Immigration Visas (SIVs) or resettlement in the United States as refugees. These include many who used to work for the US and NATO allies and fled Afghanistan fearing retribution at the hands of the new government, as well as former translators, journalists, women activists and other professionals.
Speaking to Arab News in an interview this week, Kakar, who is heading a caretaker government tasked to oversee general elections in February, said Afghan nationals associated with the US and other western nations who were waiting for visas would not be deported, nor would at-risk individuals like artists, journalists and women rights activists.
Under US rules, applicants for special visas or refugee resettlement requests must first relocate to a third country for their cases to be processed, which can take up to 14 to 18 months. In this case, thousands of Afghan applicants have been waiting in Pakistan for over two years for US officials to process their visa applications.
“There are many western countries, including the US,” Kakar said when asked to confirm if the US embassy had shared the names of over 25,000 Afghans it had requested Pakistan not to deport.
“There are Afghan nationals who … wanted to initiate the process for their visas to these respective countries and they’re doing it and Pakistan is facilitating that process.”
This is the first time a Pakistani official has confirmed Islamabad is working on a mechanism to manage Afghans seeking special US visas or refugee relocation or who risk persecution if returned to Afghanistan.
“They are not illegal aliens … someone who has either worked [in these countries] or the requests are being processed through the US embassy or UK mission or Canadian authorities or anyone for that matter, so they do have a legal right to stay here for a short while, for a limited time, till their applications are processed and that does provide them a legal cover.”
When questioned about requests by many Western embassies and the United Nations to identify and protect at-risk Afghans, Kakar said a “vulnerable” category, which included journalists, artists and women rights activists among others, had already been identified by the government.
“And we’re not sending them back,” the PM added.
“The actual database of such individuals is with the MOI [ministry of interior]. We are working with certain Afghan groups, they are providing the data and we are agreeing on an arrangement … but at the same time we have got a challenge that it should not be abused, this policy, and everyone should not come in and identify themselves in a vulnerable category.”
The PM declined to provide details of the steps taken to identify and protect those in the “vulnerable category.”
Responding to allegations that many Afghans with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards or Afghan Citizenship Cards — documents that allow them to live in Pakistan legally — were also being deported or harassed and arrested, the PM admitted the enforcement of the resettlement plan had opened up space for “human errors” and “malpractice by government agencies.”
“We will rationalize that policy and if there are such instances, we will look into that and we will correct if some harm is done to any individual or individuals for that matter,” Kakar said.
“We have a sort of a monitoring system. I have clearly issued instructions to all the four IGPs [inspectors general of police] in different provinces that they have to ensure that there has to be transparency.”
He declined to share details of the monitoring system.




Pakistani Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar (right) gestures during an interview with Arab News Pakistan Editor Mehreen Zahra-Malik in Islamabad on November 6, 2023. (AN Photo)

“WE OWN IT”
The sudden expulsion order against illegal migrants, announced on Oct. 3, came after suicide bombings this year that government officials and police investigators had said involved Afghans, though without providing evidence.
When announcing the Nov. 1 deadline, Pakistani Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said 14 of 24 suicide bombings in the country this year were carried out by Afghan nationals. Other officials have also variously accused Afghan nations of involvement in militancy, smuggling and petty crimes.
“The security aspect is one of the aspects of these illegal aliens,” Kakar said, doubling down on accusations that undocumented Afghan nationals were a security threat.
“But the issue is, along with the security [concerns], there was no visibility whatsoever of these illegal aliens in our database. We didn’t know whether they are positive contributors to our society, negative contributors to our society.”
The PM said the Taliban government had been informed in advance about the decision to expel illegal migrants, and Afghans could return to Pakistan once they had valid identity documents issued by their government and Pakistani visas.
“All we want is that there should be a rational, legal, regulated movement,” Kakar said. 
“In the long run ... they [Afghans] would realize the benefit of that dignified interaction with the Pakistani state as compared to as an illegal alien and the kind of a situation they face right now.”
The prime minister denied the expulsion decision was taken by Pakistan’s army — which has a central role in political affairs and security decision-making in the country — and said it was a “wholesome” decision in which all institutions, including the military, had given input:
“The current caretaker government is taking the lead in this campaign and we own it.”
To a question on why the government had given a 30-day deadline for illegal migrants to leave and whether it was “reasonable or fair,” the PM said:
“It is one of the pressures which is on a caretaker government because our own stint was limited and we do have that sense, so we wanted to do it during our tenure. This is one of the reasons that we gave a limited time. If we would have been an elected government, probably the situation would have been different.”


Pakistan PM offers condolences to China over deadly floods and landslides

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Pakistan PM offers condolences to China over deadly floods and landslides

  • At least 30 people have been killed as torrential rains triggered devastation across northern China
  • Sharif says Pakistan has been facing similar challenges and stands in solidarity with Chinese people

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep condolences to China on Tuesday following a wave of deadly floods and landslides that have killed dozens and displaced thousands across northern regions of the country, including Beijing and Hebei province.

The message came as torrential rains overwhelmed parts of northern China, dumping record volumes of water, triggering landslides and forcing mass evacuations.

At least 30 people have been killed, according to Chinese state media, with more fatalities feared as rescue operations continue.

Beijing and surrounding provinces have witnessed some of their worst flooding in years, with entire villages cut off and widespread infrastructure damage reported.

“We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and displacement caused by the recent torrential rains and landslides in China,” Sharif said in a statement posted on social media. “On behalf of the people of Pakistan as well as on my own behalf, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and all those affected.”

Sharif noted that Pakistan itself has suffered from extreme weather in recent years and understood the hardship faced by Chinese communities.

“We fully understand and empathize with the hardship that our Chinese brothers and sisters are enduring,” he added. “We are confident that the resilience and unity of the Chinese people, under the resolute leadership of President Xi Jinping, will see them through this difficult time.”

Sharif said the people of Pakistan stood in solidarity with the people of China, adding they were “bound together through thick and thin, in the spirit of iron clad brotherhood.”

China and Pakistan share a longstanding strategic partnership, with close cooperation in defense, infrastructure, and economic development.

Beijing has invested tens of billions of dollars in Pakistan through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative to enhance regional connectivity.


Pakistan launches digital payment service at train stations in modernization push

Updated 18 min 12 sec ago
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Pakistan launches digital payment service at train stations in modernization push

  • ATM machines, POS systems will be installed at 348 train stations nationwide, minister says
  • These systems will modernize ticketing, simplify payments and improve financial transparency

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi on Tuesday announced the launch of digital payment services at several train stations across the country, marking a significant milestone in the department's modernization efforts.

The announcement follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Pakistan Railways and Allied Bank Limited in June to launch Point of Sale (POS) systems at 348 railway stations across the country.

The installation of POS systems aims to modernize ticketing, simplify payment procedures and improve financial transparency within the railways department, according to Abbasi.

"POS machines have started their work at some stations," he told reporters at the ceremony in Lahore. "God willing, we will be installing ATM machines and POS systems in 348 stations."

Train passengers will now be able to purchase tickets and access other railway services using debit and credit cards, according to the minister.

The POS systems are expected to enable faster and more efficient transactions, eliminating long queues and manual procedures. The initiative will also help Pakistan Railways boost revenue while curbing financial fraud, theft and accounting errors.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the ceremony as the chief guest and praised the efforts of both the current and former management of the railways department.

In 2024, Pakistan Railways achieved a 40% revenue increase to Rs88 billion, according to Pakistani state media. The department added 229 new wagons, introduced 10 new trains, and enhanced passenger services with increased coach capacity and premium lounge dining cars.

Alongside the latest initiative, Abbasi said, the department would also ensure improved inspection and stronger staff presence.

 

 


Pakistan moves to draft first esports policy with UK and Commonwealth support

Updated 35 min 32 sec ago
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Pakistan moves to draft first esports policy with UK and Commonwealth support

  • IT minister says Pakistan has strong gaming talent but faces bottlenecks in commercialization and global market access
  • Government aims to support esports through training, youth-led funding and assistance in bringing local games to market

KARACHI: Pakistan is taking initial steps toward developing its first national esports policy and has sought support from the British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat to help shape the effort, the country’s IT minister said on Tuesday.

The remarks came after a meeting between Pakistan’s Ministry of IT and Telecommunication and representatives from the British Esports Federation and Commonwealth Secretariat. The collaboration aims to guide the policy’s development and support the formation of a national esports federation.

“We have immense young talent [but] commercialization is the bottleneck,” Federal Minister for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja said during the meeting, according to an official statement released later. “We seek your support to help Pakistani developers reach international markets.”

While Pakistan has a growing number of young game developers, some already publishing on platforms like SEGA and Nintendo, most lack access to funding, publishing infrastructure or export pathways.

The statement said the development of a national policy is aimed at formally recognizing esports as an economic sector and unlocking its potential as a structured platform for youth-driven innovation and employment.

The policy under development includes a strategy focused on training in game-tech, youth-led funding schemes and support for bringing locally developed games to market.

Officials said the policy will be shaped using international best practices and aligned with Pakistan’s wider goals for youth engagement and digital innovation.

Pakistan considers IT a priority sector in its broader economic strategy, hoping to boost digital exports, reduce youth unemployment and build global partnerships in creative tech.

The inclusion of esports in this agenda reflects a shift toward recognizing digital entertainment as a viable economic contributor.


Pakistan’s crackdown on black market dollar trade pushes deals online

Updated 29 July 2025
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Pakistan’s crackdown on black market dollar trade pushes deals online

  • Many unlicensed exchange shops have been shut since July 22, when the military spy agency summoned representatives to explain dollar surge
  • Since the crackdown began, the Pakistani rupee has rebounded and firmed from Rs288.6 per dollar on July 19 to about Rs286 in recent sessions

KARACHI/PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s crackdown on black market dollar trading has strengthened the rupee, but traders say under-the-counter deals have swiftly shifted to smartphones and home deliveries instead.

Many unlicensed exchange shops have been shut since July 22, when the military spy agency summoned representatives of the sector to explain the US dollar’s rising cost in the open market. Soon after, raids were carried out by the Federal Investigation Agency, which tackles financial crime and smuggling.

Since the crackdown began, the rupee has rebounded from a sharp fall against the dollar earlier in July. In the open market, it firmed from 288.6 per dollar on July 19 to about 286 in recent sessions.

But traders and bankers say the trade continues, suggesting the crackdown’s effects could be short-lived.

The black market operates outside official channels and includes unlicensed dealers, personal networks, and digital peer-to-peer exchanges, with customers seeking to skip tax declarations, avoid burdensome paperwork and bypass limits on official currency purchases.

In Peshawar, a city near the Afghan border long known for black market currency deals, many shops in the historic Chowk Yadgar district remain shuttered, though some traders were still operating discreetly in back-alley booths.

“The trade didn’t stop. It just moved,” said Ahmad, a dealer whose family has been in the business for generations. “Now it’s on WhatsApp. If you know someone, the dollars come to your house.”

“The big players have shifted to safer locations and kept going,” said another trader, Gul. Both traders asked not to give their full names.

Even retail buyers are bypassing the formal foreign exchange market. Hassan, a manager at a multinational firm in Karachi, said stricter documentation drove him to an informal forex chat.

“Everyone there is a buyer or seller. No middleman, no commission. Sometimes it’s physical cash, sometimes bank transfers, sometimes crypto,” he said.
STRICTER FX DISCIPLINE

On Monday, Pakistan’s central bank called in bank treasury heads to address pressure on the rupee. Two bankers said they were told to stop buying dollars from exchange companies at above-official rates on the grounds it was skewing the market.

Banks were asked to rely on their own inflows from exports and remittances, but both sources have slowed. Exporters are delaying bringing money home, betting the rupee will weaken. Remittances are also tapering off as banks reduce incentives once offered to attract overseas inflows.

Authorities also pressed banks to keep the gap between the interbank rate and the open market rate narrow, a condition of Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF deal meant to discourage speculation.

“These meetings have been happening for years, but this one was more pointed,” one banker said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The central bank is expected to cut rates on Wednesday, easing inflation but risking pressure on the rupee.​


Father among nine people arrested in Pakistan over suspected ‘honor killing’

Updated 29 July 2025
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Father among nine people arrested in Pakistan over suspected ‘honor killing’

  • Sidra Bibi, 18, was killed on the orders of a local council of elders in Rawalpindi after she married a man of her choice, police say
  • At least 405 women were killed in 2024 in such cases, compared with 226 in 2023, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan

LAHORE: The father and the ex-husband of an alleged “honor killing” victim are among nine people arrested in eastern Pakistan in connection with the young woman’s death, police said.

Police said Sidra Bibi, 18, was killed on the orders of a local council of elders in the garrison city of Rawalpindi after she married a man of her choice.

Some of her relatives are alleged to have buried her body and flattened the land to erase evidence of a grave, police official Aftab Hussain said Monday. The victim was suffocated using a pillow placed over her face, he added.

The arrests came after authorities exhumed the body and carried out an autopsy, which confirmed she had been tortured before being killed.

The case has drawn widespread condemnation in a country where honor killings are still common.

The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said 405 women were killed in 2024 in such cases, compared with 226 in 2023.

“The actual number is believed to be higher due to underreporting,” said Sadia Bukhari, a member of the commission’s council.

Honor killings, in which family members kill women for actions perceived as bringing shame to the family such as choosing their spouse, have increased in recent years.

Earlier this month, police in southwestern Balochistan province arrested 11 suspects after a video shared online appeared to show a young couple being fatally shot for marrying without their families’ approval.

Police confirmed the authenticity of the footage, saying the killings happened in the Deghari district in the province of Balochistan.

In January, police arrested a Pakistani man suspected of killing his US-born 15-year-old daughter for refusing to stop posting videos on TikTok, a platform with more than 54 million users in the country.

“These so-called honor killings reveal a deep-rooted mindset that views women as the property of men,” Bukhari said. “Most women in Pakistan face discrimination from childhood through adulthood.”