Pakistan says has not extended Mar. 31 deadline for expulsion of Afghans 

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Updated 03 April 2025
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Pakistan says has not extended Mar. 31 deadline for expulsion of Afghans 

  • Media reports claimed Pakistan extended deadline to beginning of next week as it coincided with Eid holidays 
  • Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government says has set up two camps in Peshawar and Landi Kotal for deportations

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office spokesperson on Thursday confirmed that the government has not extended its Mar. 31 expulsion deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, as the UN Refugee Agency expressed concerns over forced deportations and called on the government to show “leniency.”

Islamabad last month announced a deadline of Mar. 31 for Afghans in Pakistan holding ACCs, a certain immigration document, to leave the country. The move was part of Pakistan’s larger drive launched in 2023 to expel what it says are illegal immigrants from the country as it faced a surge in militant attacks. 

AFP news agency reported that a government official, on condition of anonymity, said the deadline had been extended till the beginning of next week as it coincided with the Eid Al-Fitr holidays. 

“No extension to the deadline for illegal foreigners and ACC-holder Afghans,” Shafqat Ali Khan, the foreign office spokesperson, told Arab News.

ACCs were issued by Pakistani authorities and are held by 800,000 Afghans, according to the United Nations.

More than 1.3 million Afghans who hold the UN-issued Proof of Registration (PoR) cards valid until June 30 are not part of the expulsion drive. Reports, however, suggest they are also being moved from Islamabad to Rawalpindi. 

The UN says nearly three million Afghans live in Pakistan, many having fled there over decades of war in their country and after the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan.

UNHCR Pakistan spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi expressed concerns over the deportation drive and reports of arrests in Islamabad and Rawalpindi cities.

“We have expressed concerns over this deportation drive as we believe that ACC holders should be given sufficient time to return voluntarily, with dignity and safety,” Afridi told Arab News.

He said the UNHCR has received reports of Afghan nationals being arrested in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. 

“But these operations were already underway before the Mar. 31 deadline expired,” he said, adding that the UN agency does not have information about any increase in arrests after the deadline expired.

60 AFGHAN NATIONALS ARRESTED

A source in Islamabad’s district administration, speaking to Arab News on condition of anonymity, confirmed that 60 Afghan nationals had been arrested in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad after the deadline expired. 

He said the operations were conducted based on intelligence reports in Islamabad and Rawalpindi jointly by police and intelligence agencies.

“Twenty-two individuals holding Afghan Citizen Cards were detained from Islamabad’s areas and 38 individuals were arrested from Rawalpindi,” he said.

He disclosed that the arrested Afghan nationals have been shifted to a temporary camp in Islamabad’s Old Hajji Camp area. He said after they have been registered, the Afghan nationals will be taken to the northwestern Landi Kotal town for further deportation process.

Afridi said the UNHCR was not directly involved in the process nor was it providing any support to the government.

“However, we believe they [Afghans] should be treated with leniency,” he said.

Anwer Shehzad, a focal person of the provincial government in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province for the repatriation drive, said the KP government has established two camps for the repatriation of Afghans. One was in Peshawar’s Regi area while the other one was in Landi Kotal. 

“However, no Afghans have been relocated so far due to the Eid holidays,” Shehzad said. “As the deadline expired during the holidays, we have instructed all relevant authorities to begin shifting Afghans to these camps for further processing starting from Apr. 7.”

He said these camps have National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) counters, security officials and representatives from all relevant departments.

“NADRA will conduct biometric verification of all individuals before their departure to Afghanistan to ensure that, if they return, they can be properly identified,” he explained. 

Shehzad said that since the government announced the deadline last month, around 100,000 Afghans have voluntarily returned to their homeland. 

He added that as per the KP home department’s data, approximately more than 800,000 Afghans are yet to be repatriated.

“We will also provide all biometric data to the Pakistani embassy in Afghanistan to facilitate legal movement in the future,” Shehzad said.

Arab News contacted Pakistan’s interior ministry and the provinces of Punjab, Balochistan, and Sindh but did not receive a response from them by the time this report was filed.

Afghanistan has repeatedly called for the “dignified” return of Afghans from Pakistan, urging Islamabad not to expel them.

Following an ultimatum from Islamabad in late 2023 for undocumented Afghans to leave Pakistan, more than 800,000 Afghans returned between September 2023 and the end of 2024, according to the UN figures.
 


Turkiye detains 13 people in probe of fintech Papara, which acquired Pakistan’s SadaPay

Updated 27 May 2025
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Turkiye detains 13 people in probe of fintech Papara, which acquired Pakistan’s SadaPay

  • Papara is suspected of money laundering, illegal betting and establishing a criminal organization
  • Papara expanded by acquiring Pakistan-based SadaPay and Spain-based Rebellion Pay in 2023

ISTANBUL: Turkish authorities detained 13 people as part of an investigation into fintech company Papara over suspected money laundering, illegal betting and establishing a criminal organization, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday.

Yerlikaya said authorities determined that the company, which provides online money transfers, foreign-exchange transactions and bill-payment services for its 21 million users, was allowing users to open accounts to transfer illegal betting income.

A report by state broadcaster TRT Haber said the detentions included Papara’s founder and chairman, Ahmet Faruk Karsli.

As part of the probe, the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) was appointed as a trustee to Papara by a court decision, following reports from the central bank, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and other relevant institutions.

The central bank, which regulates payment firms, said on Tuesday it would implement daily limits to transactions made on the platform.

“In this process, which will be carried out in coordination with the relevant institutions, temporary daily limits will be applied to payment transactions at the institution,” the central bank said in a statement.

It also sought to reassure users, noting that “within the scope of the law, the funds of payment service users in payment and electronic money institutions are secured in protection accounts at banks.”

Yerlikaya said 10 companies, bank accounts and assets of the detained individuals were seized as part of the investigation.

A report by the financial crimes unit found that more than 26,000 accounts were used for illegal online betting, involving transactions worth 12.9 billion lira ($330 million), he added.

Papara, one of Turkiye’s fastest-growing fintech companies, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The company was founded in 2015 and received an electronic money institution license from the banking regulator BDDK the following year. It expanded abroad by acquiring Pakistan-based SadaPay and Spain-based Rebellion Pay in 2023.

According to its website, Papara had 21 million users as of last year. PPR Holding owns Papara, and Trade Registry data shows Karsli held about 90 percent of the company as of May 2024.


Pakistan to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on June 7

Updated 27 May 2025
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Pakistan to celebrate Eid Al-Adha on June 7

  • Eid Al-Adha is observed on 10th day of Dhul Hijjah
  • Annual Hajj pilgrimage will commence on June 4

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s moon sighting committee announced today, Tuesday, that the crescent marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Dhul Hijjah was not sighted due to unclear skies and the Eid Al-Adha festival would commence from June 7. 

Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period during which the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid Al-Adha, the Festival of Sacrifice, take place. It is one of the four holy months in Islam, with the first 10 days especially revered and considered among the best days of the year for performing righteous deeds.

“Today, in Pakistan, most areas experienced cloudy weather, and some areas had clear skies. The confirmation of sighting of the Dhul Hijjah moon has not been received from any part of Pakistan,” Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad said at a press conference.

“Hence unanimously [we have] decided that the first Dhul Hijjah, 1446 AH will be observed on Thursday, May 29 and Eid Al-Adha will be on Saturday, June 7, 2025.”

Commemorating the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son on God’s command, Muslims mark the Eid Al-Adha holiday by slaughtering animals such as sheep, cows and goats. The meat is shared among family and friends and also donated to the poor.

Eid Al-Adha is observed on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, while the annual Hajj pilgrimage will commence on June 4.


Pakistani PM meets Azerbaijan’s Aliyev, thanks him for support during India standoff

Updated 27 May 2025
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Pakistani PM meets Azerbaijan’s Aliyev, thanks him for support during India standoff

  • PM Sharif will attend a trilateral summit with Aliyev and Türkish President Erdogan in Lachin
  • Sharif is on regional diplomacy tour following Pakistan’s recent military confrontation with India 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday met the president of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and thanked his country for its “steadfast support” during a recent military standoff with India, the worst conflict in decades between the nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. 

Sharif is in Azerbaijan on the third stopover of a five-day regional diplomacy tour that also saw him visit Iran and Turkiye. Turkiye and Azerbaijan had openly pledged support for Pakistan during the standoff with India while Iran had urged restraint multiple times and also offered to mediate.

The four-day military escalation saw Pakistan and India launch missiles and drones deep into each other’s territories and exchange gunfire on their de facto border, the Line of Control, until a ceasefire was announced on May 10. Nearly 70 people combined were killed on both sides of the border. 

“The prime minister thanked Azerbaijan for its steadfast support during the recent Pakistan-India confrontation, in the face of Indian provocation and acknowledged the public expressions of solidarity from both the leadership and the people of brotherly Azerbaijan,” Sharif’s office said in a statement. 

“He said that people of Azerbaijan celebrated the success of Pakistan.”

During the meeting, which took place on the eve of a trilateral summit between Pakistan, Azerbaijan and Türkiye, Sharif and Aliyev reviewed bilateral relations and expressed satisfaction on the trajectory of political, economic, defense, and cultural cooperation.

“They reaffirmed their shared commitment to diversifying the strategic partnership through investment in mutually beneficial avenues,” the prime minister’s office said. 

“Azerbaijan side agreed to exchange of delegations with regard to progress in investment of Azerbaijan in Pakistan. In this regard delegation level talks will be organized very soon.”

Pakistan and Azerbaijan have strengthened ties in recent years through defense and energy cooperation and Baku has supported Islamabad’s position on the Kashmir dispute at international forums.

Islamabad has also offered Azerbaijan access to its seaports to facilitate trade with global markets and promoted regional connectivity initiatives linking Central Asia to South Asia.

At the start of his regional visit, Sharif met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Türkiye and thanked him for Ankara’s strong backing during the conflict with India. The two leaders also discussed expanding cooperation in defense production, energy, IT, agriculture and infrastructure and agreed to pursue a bilateral trade target of $5 billion, building on commitments made during the 7th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council held in Islamabad earlier this year.

Sharif also visited Tehran, where he held meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. 

At a joint press stakeout with the Iranian president, Sharif made a peace offer to India, saying Pakistan was ready for talks on contentious issues including Kashmir, water-sharing and countering terrorism.


Andersen Consulting expands into Pakistan with collaborating Firm NEC Consulting

Updated 27 May 2025
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Andersen Consulting expands into Pakistan with collaborating Firm NEC Consulting

  • NEC Consultants is an environmental and infrastructure consulting firm based in Pakistan
  • Andersen provides services spanning corporate strategy, business, IT, AI transformation

SAN FRANCISCO: Andersen Consulting bolsters its sustainability offering through a Collaboration Agreement with NEC Consultants (Pvt) Ltd., an environmental and infrastructure consulting firm based in Pakistan.

Established in 2006, NEC Consultants provides environmental and engineering professional services. Their offerings include environmental assessments and audits, wastewater treatment plant design, energy audits, sustainability and circularity consulting, and training in environmental and energy efficiency.

Azher Uddin Khan, managing director of NEC Consulting, said:

“This collaboration with Andersen Consulting marks a significant milestone in our journey to provide innovative and sustainable solutions. By combining our local expertise with the organization’s global reach, we are poised to address complex challenges and drive impactful change in Pakistan and beyond.”

Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen, added:

“Pakistan is a rapidly growing economy with enormous potential in infrastructure development and environmental sustainability. As the country continues to invest in large-scale public and private projects, the need for multidimensional services is greater than ever. By collaborating with NEC Consultants, we gain a competitive edge in a high-growth market.”

Andersen Consulting is a global consulting practice providing a comprehensive suite of services spanning corporate strategy, business, technology, and AI transformation, as well as human capital solutions. Andersen Consulting integrates with the multidimensional service model of Andersen Global, delivering world-class consulting, tax, legal, valuation, global mobility, and advisory expertise on a global platform with more than 20,000 professionals worldwide and a presence in over 500 locations through its member firms and collaborating firms. 

Andersen Consulting Holdings LP is a limited partnership and provides consulting solutions through its member firms and collaborating firms around the world.


Pakistan’s largest port operator issues monsoon safety measures

Updated 27 May 2025
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Pakistan’s largest port operator issues monsoon safety measures

  • Upcoming monsoon season is expected to begin earlier than usual and bring heavier rainfall, disaster authority says 
  • Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change, floods in 2022 killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s largest port operator, the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), on Tuesday issued a list of precautions to be taken in case of heavy rains, winds and flooding during the upcoming monsoon season, including monitoring the safety of ships and boats and securing dredges, barges and cargo.

The upcoming monsoon season is expected to begin earlier than usual and bring heavier rainfall, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) said last week. The season is likely to begin around June 26–27, roughly three to four days ahead of its typical onset. Rainfall across the country is likely to exceed normal levels by up to 5 percent, with northeastern Punjab bracing for a 50 percent increase.

“Monitor the safety of ships at berths closely and assess their security and ensure mooring lines are properly set,” the KPT said in an advisory. 

“Pilots should be on standby to cast off vessels to sea in heavy weather. Tugs, pilot boats, and shipping boats must be ready for emergencies.”

Small boats should be parked in less exposed locations and properly secured and dredgers and barges must also be well secured, with doubled-up mooring ropes and manned appropriately, KPT said. 

All cargo such as vehicles, appliances, sensitive and lightweight goods, should be secured and covered with tarpaulin. 

“Ensure technical staff is available 24/7 for support. Medical team and ambulance must be on standby,” the advisory added. 

“Roofs should be maintained to prevent leakages and seepage. High winds and lightning can damage power lines and transformers; maintenance of electrical items is necessary.”

KPT also recommended the availability of standby generators and backup power on short notice during heavy rain.

Pakistan is one of the most vulnerable nations to climate change. In 2022, devastating floods blamed on climate change killed more than 1,700 Pakistanis, affected another 33 million and caused the country over $30 billion in economic losses.