Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that a significant number of Afghan nationals are engaged in illegal activities across Pakistan, including unregulated trade and encroachment on public land. He pointed to the growing presence of Afghan-run dump trucks parked illegally along canal banks.
Asif alleged that many of these Afghan nationals, who live in makeshift shelters, have unlawfully occupied irrigation land and may be bribing local officials. “Dumpers come into Pakistan in parts, avoiding taxes. These people extract sand, run unlicensed businesses, and even misuse canal areas,” he said.
Also Read: China Commits to Boosting Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations for Regional Stability
He asserted that Afghan nationals have established illegal settlements along nearly every major canal in the country. The minister also highlighted that there are currently 6 to 7 million undocumented individuals residing in Pakistan. He suggested that if Afghans returned to their now “flourishing” homeland, job opportunities would improve for Pakistani citizens.
Commenting on foreign relations, Asif noted that Pakistan maintains positive ties with the United States, though these are no longer rooted in joint military operations. He candidly acknowledged, “In the past, we used clerics and so-called mujahideen for our objectives.”
