Pakistan has announced that, beginning July 10, 2026, all Afghan nationals staying in the country without a valid visa will be subject to arrest.
According to directives issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Interior, the order has been communicated to local administrations, police, provincial governments, and other law enforcement agencies, and will be enforced nationwide.
Social activists say the move comes amid heightened security measures following the recent attack in Karachi and the arrest of an Afghan national accused of involvement in the incident. They argue that enforcement against undocumented Afghan migrants has intensified since the attack.
However, Pakistani authorities have not officially stated that the Karachi attack is the primary reason behind the implementation of this directive.
Sources: Dawn and The Express Tribune.