KABUL – Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, arrived in Kabul on Saturday for a crucial one-day visit at the invitation of the Acting Afghan Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. His visit comes at a time of heightened diplomatic activity and major policy shifts regarding Afghan nationals in Pakistan.
Upon arrival, Afghan government dignitaries warmly received Dar at the Kabul International Airport. The welcoming delegation included Dr. Mohammad Naeem Wardag, Minister for Finance and Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA); Director General MoFA Mufti Noor Ahmad; and Chief of State Protocol Faisal Jalali.
High-Level Meetings Scheduled
During his brief but significant visit, Ishaq Dar will meet the Acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan, Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund, and the Acting Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. He will also hold delegation-level talks with his counterpart, Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
According to the Foreign Office, discussions will span the entire spectrum of the Pakistan-Afghanistan relationship. The agenda includes enhancing cooperation in trade, border management, regional connectivity, security collaboration, and strengthening people-to-people contacts.
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The visit aims to bolster diplomatic engagement amid evolving regional dynamics. Both sides are expected to explore new mechanisms for economic integration, counterterrorism collaboration, and trade facilitation, particularly in light of ongoing regional instability and shifting migration trends.
Pakistan Bans Jobs, Housing for Illegal Afghan Nationals
Dar’s Kabul visit follows a major development in Pakistan’s internal policy. A day earlier, Islamabad announced a comprehensive ban on employment, accommodation, and commercial rentals for Afghan nationals residing illegally in the country.
Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, addressed a press conference in Islamabad, emphasizing that no illegal Afghan resident will be allowed to stay without valid documents. “There is now zero tolerance for undocumented Afghan nationals,” he stated.
He warned individuals and entities against offering jobs, shelter, or business opportunities to illegal Afghan immigrants. “Violators will face strict legal action,” Chaudhry added.
Mass Deportation Underway
Chaudhry shared updated deportation statistics, revealing that since April 1, 2025, Pakistan has deported a total of 84,869 Afghan nationals. Among these, 25,320 held Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC), while 59,549 had no official documentation.
The crackdown is part of Pakistan’s “one-document policy,” under which only Afghan nationals with valid passports and visas may remain in the country. Since its implementation, 907,351 Afghan citizens have been repatriated.
Transit points have been established for those awaiting deportation, where the government provides food, shelter, medical care, and security.
