Islamabad, Apr 5 (UNI) The Chief Minister of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Asif Ali Gandapur, has called out against the forceful deportation of Afghan nationals staying in the country by the authorities.







Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, CM Gandapur said: "We will not send the immigrants back to Afghanistan unless the Afghan government is ready to receive them.







"The KP police will not forcibly push anybody out of their houses," the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Islam Chief Minister said, adding that "The country cannot achieve peace without holding talks with Afghanistan,” according to SAMAA TV.







His remarks came at a time when the federal government has started the process of repatriating undocumented refugees and Afghan Citizen Card (ACCs) holders, as the deadline for their voluntary return ended on March 31, 2025. The deadline was later extended by a couple of days.



The CM went on to say "We have cultural and historical ties with Afghan refugees," adding that those refugees who wish to leave voluntarily would be provided with resources to facilitate their return with respect.



Raising questions over the intentions of the Centre, the KPK CM said that they were still waiting for Islamabad to approve the terms of reference (TOR) to initiate talks with the interim Afghanistan government led by the Afghan Taliban, as per The News International.



With Islamabad’s harassment of the immigrants in the country, which include forceful action by the state police and Pakistani Rangers, the issue has become a point of contention between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Kabul repeatedly criticising the move and calling out for better treatment of the Afghan nationals.







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