Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has said the provincial and federal governments share the same stance on undocumented Afghan nationals. He insisted that people living in Pakistan illegally will have to return to their country.
Speaking at a ceremony for doctors in Peshawar, Kundi said Afghan citizens who want to visit Pakistan will need valid visas. He added that no foreign national may remain in the country without proper documentation. He also addressed health sector challenges and other provincial issues during the event.
Repatriation plan and visa rules for Afghans
The governor’s remarks match the federal government’s ongoing Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan. Under that scheme, authorities have instructed the provinces to enforce visa requirements and send back foreign nationals who lack valid documents.
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Kundi had previously said the federal and provincial governments were in agreement over the repatriation policy.
Health sector pledges and house officer pay
Kundi said improving healthcare was a priority and that the government would work to address existing shortcomings. He said the Rs70,000 monthly salary paid to house officers was insufficient and would be reviewed.
He said healthcare development in KP should follow the example of Punjab and Sindh, and that the province needed to close gaps in its health facilities. He alleged that the previous Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government had not built any new hospital in the province.
Kundi also called for keeping positive initiatives introduced by earlier governments. He argued that better public services required an effective system of accountability and reward. His healthcare comments follow assurances he gave trainee doctors earlier in October that their demands would be considered after a 37-day protest and boycott of services at government hospitals.
Encroachments, electricity bills and federal funds
On civic matters, Kundi said there would be no compromise on removing illegal encroachments, and action would be taken against those breaking the law. He urged electricity consumers to pay their bills regularly, saying an end to loadshedding depended on their cooperation.
He complained that the federal government was not providing the province with its due resources, and said that situation needed to change. Kundi said the provincial government would work to create a stable environment for investors and provide all possible facilities to those seeking to invest in KP. He concluded that the province must move towards a stronger future and that the government would support younger citizens and improve public services.
