Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has confirmed that the government has decided not to extend the Proof of Registration (PoR) cards of Afghan refugees.
He stated that Afghans who are now being deported from Pakistan will be blacklisted from re-entry.
In an informal conversation with journalists on Friday, Naqvi addressed a range of national issues, from border security to urban development in Islamabad.
Afghan deportations, security measures
Naqvi clarified that the blacklisting of deported Afghans is part of a broader national policy shift. He also revealed that Iran has deported 300,000 Afghans in the first ten days of July alone.
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Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to local inclusion in security forces, the minister said that Frontier Corps (FC) recruitments would continue as before, with tribal residents being prioritized.
No backdoor diplomacy with India
Dispelling rumours, Naqvi firmly denied any ongoing backdoor diplomacy with India, asserting that no such talks have taken place behind the scenes.
Clarification on SHO comment
He also clarified a controversial statement he had earlier made, explaining that his remarks about an SHO (station house officer) controlling terrorists in Balochistan were meant in a figurative sense and not as a literal assessment of the security situation.
Urban development and environment
Speaking on the situation in Islamabad, the minister addressed the recent structural concerns regarding the F-8 Bridge. “There was no fault in the bridge's construction. The road subsided because of excavation work by Sui Gas authorities near the Erdogan Flyover,” he explained.
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Naqvi also emphasized the urgency of expanding green areas in the capital, warning that the lack of greenery is increasing smog risks. “Emergency measures are being taken to improve Islamabad’s green cover,” he said.
Police infrastructure, military oversight
Commenting on police station infrastructure, Naqvi revealed that land has been purchased for those built on greenbelt areas in Islamabad to regularize their locations. He also discussed the Interior Ministry's proposal to appoint a military officer to manage eight key departments, including Rangers, Frontier Corps, and Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts.
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However, he clarified that no final decision has been made regarding whether the officer would be retired or currently serving.
Clarifies pilgrim reports
Addressing media reports about Pakistani pilgrims missing in Iran, Naqvi dismissed the claim of 40,000 missing as “incorrect and exaggerated.”
