End Forced Hospitality: Khawaja Asif’s Warning came as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared on Friday that “it’s the time to end the forced hospitality,” warning that the source of terrorism “would have to pay the price” no matter where it was located. The statement, posted in Urdu on X, echoed the federal position announced earlier by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas will be sent back immediately and that no concessions will be made.
Asif’s remarks followed a high level meeting where the prime minister, army leadership, and top federal ministers discussed the repatriation drive and border security. The defence minister underscored the domestic dimension of the policy, saying Pakistan’s land and resources belong to 25 million Pakistanis and stressing that “honourable nations do not survive on the soil and resources of others.” His comments tied the repatriation policy to national security, signalling that Islamabad will hold the base of terror networks accountable.
The government has already reported over 1.47 million Afghan nationals returned as part of the phased repatriation, while authorities move to expand exit points and stop anyone from sheltering undocumented Afghans. Officials say only Afghan nationals with valid visas will be allowed to remain and provinces have been directed to enforce the policy strictly. Asif’s public warning adds political force to the security measures, making clear that Pakistan will link migration enforcement with counterterrorism objectives.
The stern messaging from Islamabad comes amid recent cross-border clashes and precision strikes against militant hideouts in Afghanistan, a volatile backdrop that has hardened public and political resolve. With the federal government, military leadership, and provincial administrations briefed and mobilised, the repatriation drive is framed as both a humanitarian logistics task and a security imperative.
