Interior minister addresses PTI protest, Afghan nationals, and illegal housing issues during Friday press briefing
STAFF REPORT
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, responded to various pressing issues during a press briefing on Friday, including the upcoming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest scheduled for August 5, the presence of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, and plans for tackling illegal housing societies in Islamabad. Regarding the PTI’s planned protest, he remarked, “Let PTI complete their preparations first, and then we will take our own measures.” This statement comes in response to questions about the government’s strategy to handle the PTI’s call for a protest. On the topic of Afghanistan, the interior minister emphasised Pakistan’s ongoing diplomatic dialogue with the Islamic Emirate, acknowledging the importance of bilateral relations. He also clarified Pakistan’s stance on illegal foreign nationals residing within its borders, stating that no leniency would be shown towards anyone staying illegally, particularly Afghan nationals. “Afghan nationals illegally residing in Pakistan will not be given extensions,” Naqvi affirmed, while noting that Iran had recently expelled 300,000 afghan nationals in the past two weeks.
