Pakistan has always stood with Afghans in difficult times: FO

WEB DESK: Addressing the weekly media brief, Foreign Office spokesperson  Shafqat Ali Khan maintained that Pakistan has consistently supported its Afghan neighbors during challenging periods. However, securing Pakistan’s borders remains a key policy priority.

Khan added that the government is implementing the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) in phases, with ongoing coordination with all relevant stakeholders. “We are currently processing the return of illegally residing foreigners,” stressing that Pakistan reserves the right to regulate legal entry at its borders.

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Regarding border management, he also clarified it fell under border regulation protocols, while foreign policy remained a federal matter.

On migration matters pertaining to United Arab Emirates, the FO clarified that there was no complete ban on Pakistani visas and a significant Pakistani diaspora in the UAE has been present since many decades.