Kundi says undocumented Afghans must leave Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said the provincial and federal governments have the same policy on undocumented Afghan nationals, insisting that those living illegally in Pakistan will have to return to their country.

Addressing a ceremony of doctors in Peshawar, Kundi said Afghan citizens wishing to visit Pakistan would have to obtain valid visas, adding that no foreign national could stay in the country without proper documentation.

“The policy of the federal government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on undocumented Afghans is the same,” he said, stressing that those residing in Pakistan illegally would have to leave.

The governor also spoke about the province’s healthcare challenges, saying improvement in the health sector was a priority and that the government would work to address existing shortcomings.

He said the Rs70,000 monthly salary of house officers was insufficient and would be reviewed. He added that the government would support young people, saying their participation and contribution were essential for the province’s progress.

Kundi said healthcare development in KP should be pursued along the lines of Punjab and Sindh, adding that the province needed to make up for gaps in its health facilities. He also alleged that the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had not constructed any new hospital in the province.

He called for retaining positive initiatives introduced by previous governments, saying improvements in public services required an effective system of accountability and reward.

On civic issues, the governor said there would be no compromise on the removal of illegal encroachments and that action would be taken against those violating the law.

He also urged electricity consumers to pay their bills regularly, saying an end to loadshedding required cooperation from consumers.

Kundi complained that the federal government was not providing the province with its due resources, saying the situation needed to change.

He said the provincial government would also focus on creating a stable and conducive environment for investors and provide all possible facilities to those seeking to invest in KP.

The governor said the province needed to move towards a stronger and more developed future, adding that the government would work to support its younger generation and improve public services.

His remarks on undocumented Afghans are in line with the federal government’s ongoing Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, under which authorities have directed provinces to enforce visa requirements and repatriate foreign nationals without valid documents. Kundi had previously said the federal and provincial governments were in agreement over the repatriation policy.

The governor’s comments on healthcare come after he assured trainee doctors earlier in October that their demands would be considered following a 37-day protest and boycott of services at government hospitals.