ISLAMABAD, OCT 17: As Pakistan is witnessing heightened border tensions with Afghanistan amid rising terror attacks, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday said Pakistan could no longer bear the burden of hosting Afghan refugees indefinitely, directing authorities to ensure their immediate repatriation.

Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on the repatriation of Afghan refugees, the premier reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace, regretting that the country had paid a heavy price for decades of instability in Afghanistan.

The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, federal ministers, the prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, and a representative of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister, along with senior federal and provincial officials.

“Pakistan had suffered thousands of lives lost and billions in economic damages during the war against terrorism,” he said, expressing concern over the recent cross-border attacks from Afghan soil.

PM Shehbaz said that despite repeated diplomatic engagements, including multiple visits to Kabul by the deputy prime minister, and defence minister, Afghan authorities had failed to prevent the use of their territory for attacks on Pakistan.

The prime minister paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces for repelling recent attacks from Afghanistan, praising Field Marshal Asim Munir’s leadership and the army’s professional capability in defending the nation.

He added that the Pakistani people who sacrificed in the war on terror were now asking when the government would end the burden of hosting Afghan refugees.

The forum was briefed that the repatriation of Afghan nationals had begun in phases, with 1,477,592 individuals returned to Afghanistan as of October 16.

Officials said no further extension would be granted, and only those holding valid Pakistani visas would be permitted to stay. The meeting was informed that exit points were being increased to facilitate speedy repatriation.

It was stressed that providing shelter to undocumented Afghans or hosting them in guesthouses was a “punishable offence”.

Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz directed that elderly persons, women, children, and minorities be treated respectfully during the repatriation process, and that the public should be made partners in ensuring compliance with government policy.

The prime minister also welcomed the cooperation of provincial governments and praised their support for implementing the federal policy on refugee repatriation.

The forum decided that all recommendations presented would be implemented strictly, with PM Shehbaz urging all provinces to provide full support to the federal government in ensuring the dignified and timely return of Afghan refugees.

Heightened tensions
Islamabad and Kabul are witnessing heightened tensions amid the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to act against terrorist groups, operating from Afghan soil, in the backdrop of rising terror attacks in Pakistan.

The country has witnessed a surge in cross-border terror incidents since Taliban rulers returned to Afghanistan in 2021, particularly in the bordering provinces of KP and Balochistan.

The two nations share a porous border spanning around 2,500 kilometres with several crossing points which hold significance as a key element of regional trade and relations between the people across both sides of the fence.

However, the issue of terrorism remains a key issue for Pakistan, which has urged Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used by groups such as the TTP to carry out attacks inside the former’s territory.

Islamabad’s reservations have also been confirmed by a report submitted to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) by the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, which has revealed a nexus between Kabul and the TTP, with the former providing logistical, operational, and financial support to the latter.

Pakistan has hosted Afghans for more than four decades, from the Soviet invasion through the Taliban takeover in 2021. Some refugees were born and raised in Pakistan; others are still waiting for third-country relocation.

According to media reports, following a 2023 crackdown on undocumented Afghans and those exceeding legal status, more than 554,000 Afghans have been returned since April 2025 under Pakistan’s Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan — including around 145,000 in August.

According to security sources, masterminds and facilitators of terrorism are based in Afghanistan and are being supported by India.

Saifullah Ansar

ISLAMABAD, OCT 17 /DNA/ – Foreign Office Spokesperson Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, in his final weekly media briefing on Friday announced key diplomatic developments, including Pakistan’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the implementation of a temporary ceasefire along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, and the country’s active participation in the recent Gaza Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Delivering his last official briefing as spokesperson, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan reaffirmed Pakistan’s “unwavering commitment to regional peace, sovereignty, and constructive diplomacy,” emphasizing that Pakistan had “effectively repulsed unprovoked assaults by the Afghan Taliban” along the border earlier this week. He said the temporary ceasefire, agreed upon with the Taliban regime, took effect on October 15 for 48 hours to allow dialogue-based resolution of tensions.

“Pakistan exercised its right to self-defense and responded in a targeted and precise manner, avoiding civilian harm,” the spokesperson said, adding that Pakistan expected “concrete and verifiable actions” by the Taliban against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil. He strongly rejected “baseless assertions” made by the Afghan interim foreign minister in India, calling them an attempt to deflect attention from the presence of terrorist networks in Afghanistan.

Ambassador Shafqat also revealed that Pakistan had lodged strong reservations over the recent India-Afghanistan joint statement, which referred to Jammu and Kashmir as part of India. “This reference violates UN Security Council resolutions and disregards the legal and historical status of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

Highlighting Pakistan’s humanitarian approach, the spokesperson said Islamabad continues to host around four million Afghan nationals and will regulate their stay in line with international norms and domestic laws. “Pakistan desires a peaceful, stable, friendly, inclusive, and prosperous Afghanistan,” he noted.

Ambassador Shafqat announced that Pakistan was elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2026–2028 with an overwhelming majority of 178 votes. “This marks Pakistan’s sixth election to the Council since its establishment in 2006 and reflects the global community’s confidence in our commitment to human rights and consensus building,” he said. Pakistan, he added, will continue to spotlight human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine.

The spokesperson also briefed media on Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif’s participation in the Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, jointly hosted by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit brought together 30 global leaders to address the Gaza crisis. “Pakistan’s active diplomatic engagement reinforced its standing as a responsible regional actor,” he said, noting the Prime Minister’s meetings with the Presidents of Palestine, the U.S., Azerbaijan, and Armenia, among others.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, he said, also held a series of important bilateral meetings with counterparts from Egypt, Turkey, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia, underscoring Pakistan’s growing diplomatic outreach.

Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan concluded the briefing by reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve to pursue peace through diplomacy and cooperation, saying it had been “an honour to serve as the voice of Pakistan’s foreign policy.”

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Friday to review progress regarding the repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. The meeting was attended by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff, federal ministers, the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, chief ministers of Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as senior federal and provincial officials. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government was represented by Muzzammil Aslam in place of Chief Minister Sohail Afridi.

Welcoming the participants, the Prime Minister reiterated the federal government’s commitment to working closely with all provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for the welfare and development of their people. He emphasized that Pakistan has stood by Afghanistan through decades of hardship, but expressed deep concern over the increasing number of terrorist attacks originating from Afghan soil.

The Prime Minister noted that Pakistan had suffered thousands of casualties and billions in economic losses in the war against terrorism. He said the Afghan government had been repeatedly urged — through diplomatic channels and senior-level visits — to prevent the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.

The forum was informed that the phased repatriation of Afghan refugees is already underway. As of October 16, 2025, a total of 1,477,592 Afghans have been repatriated. The government has decided not to grant any further extensions and emphasized that only Afghans holding valid Pakistani visas will be allowed to remain. Exit points along the border are being expanded to facilitate a smoother process.

The meeting was also briefed that sheltering undocumented Afghans or allowing them to stay in guesthouses constitutes a criminal offense. Citizens will be encouraged to support the government’s repatriation policy, ensuring the process is conducted lawfully and respectfully.

Prime Minister Shehbaz directed that elderly persons, women, children, and minorities be treated with dignity during repatriation. He lauded Field Marshal Asim Munir and the Pakistan Armed Forces for their firm and professional response to recent Afghan provocations, noting that the nation stands united behind them.

At the conclusion, the forum resolved to implement all recommendations strictly and reaffirmed full coordination between the federal and provincial governments to ensure the early and orderly return of all illegal Afghan residents from Pakistan.

DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 17: Meta in collaboration with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) educational platform, EYEYAH!, has launched a social campaign and interactive online experience  named “Is This Legit?” to raise awareness for common scam traps within Pakistan. This initiative is part of a broader APAC-wide campaign rolling out across more than 15 countries, promoting safer digital experiences.

The campaign educates users on seven prevalent scam types, including romance, shopping, impersonation, investment, job, account hacking and messaging scams through engaging and gamified content designed to build awareness of scam indicators and red flags.

Chairman PTA, Major General (R) Hafeez Ur Rehman, HI (M) SI, commended the collaboration, emphasizing PTA’s ongoing commitment to fostering a secure and informed digital environment. He highlighted the initiative as a continuation of PTA and Meta’s joint efforts to enhance digital literacy and protect users from fraudulent activities.

Dania Mukhtar, Head of Pakistan Public Policy at Meta, said, “At Meta, we are deeply committed to safeguarding our community in Pakistan by proactively removing scammers from our platforms. However, scammers are always changing their tactics, targeting many apps and platforms all at once, to make it hard for them to get caught. We recognize that awareness and education are powerful tools for online users. Through this campaign, we aim to help people in Pakistan identify common red flags in an interactive and engaging way, empowering them to stay safe from scams. We appreciate the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for helping us amplify this initiative and empower the community with the knowledge and resources needed to protect themselves online.”

The ambassador also underlined that Choose France events allow French delegates to visit Pakistani universities, explore joint programs, and strengthen institutional collaboration

Ansar M Bhatti

ISLAMABAD: The Embassy of France in Pakistan hosted the “Choose France” event at the French Residence in Islamabad, highlighting the growing academic cooperation between France and Pakistan. The event, held under the aegis of Campus France Pakistan, brought together French Embassy officials, visiting representatives of French universities, Pakistani academics, and students who have recently studied in France.

Speaking on the occasion, French Ambassador to Pakistan Nicolas Galey said that while media attention often gravitates toward breaking news and major events, it was equally vital to focus on long-term initiatives such as educational cooperation the real foundation of bilateral relations. “These sustained academic and cultural engagements are the seeds of the future relationship between Pakistan and France,” the ambassador remarked, welcoming the visiting French higher education delegation.

He noted that the Choose France initiative, launched by the French Embassy in Pakistan, serves as a bridge connecting Pakistani and French universities and creating durable academic partnerships. The platform also enables talented Pakistani students to meet directly with representatives of French institutions and explore opportunities for study and research in France.

Reflecting on the evolution of the initiative, Ambassador Galey shared those four years after the first Choose France Education Tour was held in Pakistan, its impact has become “strong, visible, and structured.” He emphasized that higher education cooperation now stands among the top priorities of the France-Pakistan bilateral roadmap, a framework signed between the foreign ministries of both countries in January 2023.

He further highlighted the remarkable rise in Pakistani students’ interest in studying in France. “Five years ago, only around 200 students applied to French universities. This year, nearly 7,000 applications were registered through Campus France Pakistan,” he said. “Most of these students have been awarded scholarships either from the French government, the Erasmus Mundus program, or directly from French institutions.”

Ambassador Galey proudly noted that France has become the leading European Union destination for Pakistani students under the Erasmus Mundus program. He described this trend as “a sign of growing trust and mutual interest” between the two nations.

Reiterating the importance of Campus France as the official channel for aspiring students, he said it provides free and reliable guidance for selecting recognized institutions and applying for scholarships. “We strongly encourage students and families to use this official platform to ensure a successful educational experience,” he stressed.

The ambassador also underlined that Choose France events allow French delegates to visit Pakistani universities, explore joint programs, and strengthen institutional collaboration.

According to the ambassador, twelve bilateral agreements between French and Pakistani universities have already been implemented as a direct outcome of the Choose France initiative. Several new exchange programs have started, with institutional ties evolving into long-term partnerships.

He noted that this year’s event gave special importance to student voices those who had experienced life and learning in France. “Beyond numbers and agreements, the heart of our cooperation remains human meeting, discovering, and understanding each other’s cultures,” he said. “These students are the real ambassadors of friendship between France and Pakistan.”

Ambassador Galey concluded by expressing gratitude to all contributors French and Pakistani university officials, embassy staff, and students for helping deepen the academic and cultural bonds between the two countries.

The event concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Iman, Project Manager at Campus France Pakistan and Ms. Sabine Vermillard, the Scientific and Higher Education Attaché at the French Embassy in Pakistan.

Panelists included Noheila Eladj from Epitech (a French institution that recently launched student mobility programs with Pakistan), Dr. Sahar, Director of the International Office at NUST, and two students, Hanal and Hayan, who shared their experiences of studying in France through partnerships between Epitech–FAST and NUST–Rohan School of Business.

No work will be done without the instructions of PTI founder Imran Khan, says Afridi

PESHAWAR:  Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Thursday secured protective bail from the Peshawar High Court (PHC) till November 18 as the court barred the authorities from arresting him and sought the details of cases registered against him.

The decision was announced by PHC’s two-member bench, comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Muhammad Naeem Anwar while hearing a plea filed by CM Afridi seeking protective bail and details of the case registered against him.

During the hearing today, Justice Ijaz questioned about which first information report (FIR) is CM Afridi named in.

To this, the KP advocate general said that: “We ourselves do not know, maybe I am also nominated in [any] FIR”.

Speaking to the media today, CM Afridi, who was sworn in as the province’s chief executive a day earlier by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, said that he hasn’t received a reply on his request to meet incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail.

“The Centre [federal government] should think that the [KP] CM is coming to meet [PTI founder]. No work will be done without the instructions of the PTI founder,” Afridi remarked.

The CM has left for Islamabad, where he will discuss the formation of the provincial cabinet and other issued with the PTI founder.

Afridi’s journey to the CM’s office was marred with controversy triggered by the rejection of his predecessor Ali Amin Gandapur’s resignation by Governor Kundi, who administered oath to Afridi on the directives of the PHC.

Afridi — a young PTI leader — hails from Bara tehsil of Khyber district and last held the portfolio of provincial minister for higher education. He is regarded among the party’s most ideological and grassroots-based workers, having been associated with PTI since his student years.

However, his nomination for the office of the CM prompted strong reaction from the federal government which accused the former ruling party of having a soft corner for terrorists.

The newly-elected CM has been directed by Khan to collaborate with all relevant stakeholders in developing an effective and comprehensive strategy to combat terrorism in the province.

Meanwhile, in his victory speech in the assembly, Afridi called for the review of the country’s Afghanistan policy and taking local representatives and elders into confidence on the issue of terrorism.