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Pakistan wants Afghans without visas to leave Islamabad and Rawalpindi by February 28
Pakistan has informed the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) that all Afghan nationals—except those holding valid visas—must leave the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi by February 28.
For Afghans holding resettlement or relocation documents for third countries, the government has extended the deadline to March 31, Business Recorder reported.
UNHCR Spokesperson Qaiser Khan Afridi, while talking to Business Recorder has expressed grave concern over the decision, stressing the deep-rooted family and business ties many Afghans have in Pakistan.
He stated that it had consistently advocated for a more considerate approach over the past two months, urging authorities to factor in these longstanding connections.
However, the government has chosen to proceed with the plan, Afridi said.
The move is expected to have immediate repercussions on livelihoods and children’s education, the UNHCR spokesperson said, adding it has called on Pakistan to uphold human rights standards while implementing the relocation measures, ensuring due process for affected individuals.
The Afghan embassy in Islamabad recently issued a strongly worded statement, saying Afghan nationals in Islamabad and the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi have been subjected to arrests, searches and orders from the police to leave the twin cities and relocate to other parts of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s foreign ministry rejected allegations of mistreatment of refugees, and called on Kabul to ensure Afghan nationals’ smooth repatriation.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has announced that it will continue providing its essential health services to the people of Afghanistan.
In a post on X, the organization, referring to Afghanistan’s health needs, said that over the past year it has been active in various health sectors across the country, ranging from maternal and child care to emergency response, as well as the treatment of patients suffering from tuberculosis and severe injuries.
According to MSF, its teams over the past year have been present at a range of health facilities, including neonatal intensive care units, operating theatres, surgical centers, and specialized tuberculosis treatment wards, where they have delivered life-saving services to patients.
The organization stressed that it will continue ensuring the provision of health services, particularly for needy families and vulnerable communities in remote areas of Afghanistan.
The Embassy of Afghanistan in Japan, currently run by diplomats of the previous government, has announced that it will suspend its operations in Tokyo after the end of January 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, the embassy said the decision was made after consultations with Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in close coordination with Japanese authorities, and in accordance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
The embassy added that after January 31, all of its political, economic, cultural, and consular activities will be halted until further notice.
Currently, Shaida Abdali is serving as Afghanistan’s ambassador to Japan.
Sadin Ayyıldız, Chargé d’Affaires of the Turkish Embassy in Kabul, held a courtesy meeting with Zakir Jalali, the Second Political Deputy of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of the start of his mission.
The Turkish Embassy in Kabul said in a post that the meeting included mutual exchanges of views on bilateral relations.
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