Amid fears of a new Afghan refugee crisis due to the turmoil in the neighboring country, Pakistan on Monday announced that the fencing work along the Afghan border would be completed by August 14, reported Dawn
Decades of war have driven Afghans out of their country, most into Pakistan to the east and Iran to the west.
Pakistan is home to 1.4 million Afghan refugees while Iran hosts nearly a million, according to UN refugee agency data from the beginning of the year.
The number of undocumented Afghans in both countries is estimated to be much higher. Pakistan has already ruled out taking any more refugees.
Addressing a news conference in Islamabad, Minister for Interior Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that the fencing along the Afghan border would be completed by August 14, adding that 46 to 48 per cent fencing on the border with Iran had also been completed.
He said there have been thousands of foreigners living in the country over the last many years without renewal of visas.
Rashid asked these foreigners to leave Pakistan before August 14 or get their visas renewed through online application, adding that no fine would be imposed on those who apply for the renewal of visa.
