ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has repatriated more than 713,000 Afghan nationals residing in the country illegally since it launched a deportation drive last year that drew criticism from international rights organizations, state-run media reported on Tuesday.
Last November, Pakistan announced it would deport “illegal immigrants” following a spike in suicide bombings that it blamed on Afghan nationals, though no evidence was provided to support this claim. Pakistani officials also alleged that Afghan citizens were involved in smuggling and other crimes in the country.
The cash-strapped government, grappling with record inflation and a tough International Monetary Fund bailout program last year, also maintained that undocumented migrants had drained its resources for decades.
“According to latest statistics, the total number of illegal Afghan nationals who were repatriated till yesterday [Monday] has reached more than 713,000,” Radio Pakistan reported. “The process of repatriation of the illegal Afghan nationals to their homeland is underway in a dignified manner.”
It added that 71,193 Afghan nationals had been deported from Pakistan between August 17 and September 9.
Until the government initiated the expulsion drive last year, Pakistan was home to over four million Afghan migrants and refugees, of which around 1.7 million were undocumented, as per government figures.
Afghans make up the largest portion of migrants, many of whom came after the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, but a large number have been present since the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Islamabad insists the deportation drive is not aimed specifically at Afghans but at all those living illegally in Pakistan.
International rights organizations have called on Pakistan to review its decision, warning that Afghan nationals deported may suffer from poverty and could face retaliation at the hands of the Afghan Taliban in their homeland.
Over 713,000 Afghans deported from Pakistan since expulsion drive began last year
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Over 713,000 Afghans deported from Pakistan since expulsion drive began last year
- 71,193 Afghan nationals were repatriated between August 17 and September 9, says Radio Pakistan
- Pakistan was home to over four million Afghan migrants until it launch of the deportation drive
Pakistan expands crypto engagement with appearance at Mar-a-Lago finance forum
- Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal bin Saqib attends World Liberty Financial event at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate
- Discussions focused on future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation, says Saqib’s office
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (PVARA) Chairman and Minister of State Bilal bin Saqib joined global finance leaders at an event hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto venture linked to US President Donald Trump’s family, Saqib’s office said on Thursday.
The event was hosted by World Liberty Financial, a crypto-based finance platform launched in September 2024 linked to Trump’s family. According to Saqib’s office, the gathering was held at Mar-a-Lago, the private estate and club owned by Trump in Florida.
Speakers and attendees at the event included David Solomon, chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, Adena Friedman, chairperson and CEO of Nasdaq as well as Lynn Martin, president of the New York Stock Exchange, Saqib’s office said. The event was organized and hosted by Eric Trump and American businesspersons Zach Witkoff and Alex Witkoff.
“Discussions focused on the future of global financial infrastructure, digital assets, stablecoins, capital markets innovation and the evolving relationship between regulation and emerging financial technologies,” the statement said.
It said Saqib’s attendance at the event reflected Pakistan’s growing engagement with global discussions shaping the next phase of financial and technological transformation.
“As Pakistan moves toward modernizing its financial infrastructure and strengthening its position in the global digital economy, such high-level engagements signal increasing international recognition of the country’s regulatory direction and leadership,” the statement added.
Last month, Pakistan signed a memorandum of understanding with a company affiliated with World Liberty Financial to explore the use of a dollar-linked stablecoin for cross-border payments.
Pakistan has stepped up efforts recently to regulate its digital asset sector and is exploring digital currency initiatives as part of broader measures to reduce cash usage.
