Brig. (Retd.) Said Nazir (Defense Analyst): Enough is enough as far as the presence of illegal foreign nationals in the country is concerned. No country allows illegal and unregistered aliens to live on its soil. Pakistan has been hosting millions of Afghan refugees after Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. Now, it is time that they are repatriated back to Afghanistan. Unfortunately, successive Afghan governments have not paid any attention to repatriate their citizens. Many of the illegal Afghan refugees are involved in crimes and some of them have also forged their identity documents. In addition, they have set up their businesses and deprived the local population of their livelihoods. It is responsibility of the UN and other international organizations to play a role in resettling Afghans back to their country. Pakistan has always facilitated peace and stability in Afghanistan. But terrorists operating from Afghanistan are launching attacks inside Pakistan and Kabul government is not taking any action against them. Afghanistan needs to strengthen its border mechanism while cooperating with Pakistan to stop the inflow of criminal elements to Pakistan.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Raza Muhammad Khan (Defense Analyst): The incumbent government has decided to monitor the activities of all illegal migrants in the country and allow only those who have valid visas and documents to the country. The government in Afghanistan claims that it has stability and better financial conditions. In this scenario, there is no need for Afghan refugees to live in Pakistan anymore.  Government has set the deadline of November 1 after which all the aliens will be deported from the country. However, the government should grant a grace period to women and children or those people who are in the country for medical treatment. There is a need to coordinate with various governments to take back their nationals residing in Pakistan.