ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Tuesday warned Afghan nationals residing in the country against supporting and funding electoral candidates.

The interior ministry in a brief statement stressed that it was illegal for Afg­h­ans living in the country to support or be involved in any political or electoral activities ahead of the up­­coming general elections.

It made it clear that those failing to comply will be deported regardless of their legal status.

Pakistan had last month announced it would expel over a million undocum­e­nted migrants, mostly Afghans.

The ministry has also warned Pakistani citizens against employing illegal aliens or assisting them in securing employment within the country.

Pakistani citizens have also been encouraged to report any instances of illegal aliens or individuals employing them. The directive comes as the country gears up for general elections, scheduled to take place on Feb 8, 2024.

In the 1980s, millions of Afghans fled to Pakistan during the Soviet occupation of their country.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2023