Gandapur advocates granting nationality to Afghans

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has called on the federal government to grant Pakistani citizenship to Afghan nationals, arguing that many of them could bring billions of dollars in investment to the country.

Gandapur said the government must relax its citizenship policy to allow Afghans settled in Pakistan to contribute more meaningfully to the economy.

“Afghans have big businesses here, and they can bring billions of dollars in investment. If the British, Americans, and Belgians can grant them citizenship, why not Pakistan?” Gandapur remarked.

Addressing the ongoing flood crisis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Gandapur explained that he could not travel to Punjab to express solidarity with victims due to his province’s pressing flood situation.

However, he stressed that Punjab remains close to KP’s heart, saying: “The people of Punjab are our brothers. If there is any service required, we are ready.”

Also Read: Kalabagh Dam is Crucial for the State, Says KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur 

Gandapur’s statement comes as the deadline for Afghan nationals holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards to voluntarily leave Pakistan expired. According to officials, only Afghan citizens with valid visas would not be deported, while those whose visas had expired would also be provided support.

Authorities added that leniency was being shown toward holders of medical and study visas. So far, a total of 16,400 Afghans have been deported from Islamabad, sources confirmed.

Meanwhile, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has expressed concern over Pakistan’s intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, according to the statement issued on August 5.

“On 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing ‘Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan’. Over the past days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders,” the press release reads.