Interior ministry issues directive to arrest Afghan nationals without valid visas from July 10

The Ministry of Interior on Sunday issued a directive to immediately arrest any Afghan national “found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa” from July 10, 2026.

In a notification addressing the chief secretaries of all provinces, as well as those of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and and the chief commissioner of Islamabad Capital Territory, the ministry said that the directive referred to the decisions taken during a review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan (IFRP) on June 1, 2026.

It said that during the meeting, “all provincial governments, special area governments and the ICT Administration were directed to expedite the repatriation/deportation of Afghan nationals, including visa overstay cases, and to ensure strict implementation of the IFRP”.

“With effect from July 10, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately,” the notification said.

It added that the necessary directions might, therefore, be issued to all deputy commissioners, district administrations, police and other law enforcement agencies concerned to ensure “uniform and effective implementation” of these directions.

The directive also requested that a report detailing the “number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas, the action taken against them, and their present status, may kindly be furnished to this ministry on a daily basis, commencing July 11, 2026”.

“The matter may be accorded top priority and compliance ensured in letter and spirit,” the notification said.