ISLAMABAD, Oct. 17 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to ensure the early, orderly, and dignified repatriation of all illegal Afghan refugees from the country, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the issue, Sharif called for close coordination among federal and provincial institutions to complete the process of repatriation efficiently.
The meeting was informed that as of Oct. 16, more than 1.47 million Afghan nationals had returned to Afghanistan under the ongoing repatriation plan. No further extensions will be granted, and only those holding valid Pakistani visas will be allowed to stay, the statement said.
It was further noted that additional border exit points are being established to expedite the process, while authorities have begun identifying individuals and facilities illegally sheltering Afghan nationals, as such actions constitute a criminal offense. ■
