Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Wednesday that Indian media are spreading lies about the situation on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

At a press conference in Islamabad, he rejected Indian propaganda, saying that the border between Tolkham and Chaman was completely peaceful and tranquil. He insisted that the border crossing with Afghanistan is open to operations, trade and transit visa facilities.

“The Office of the Ministry of the Interior is open 24 hours a day,” Rashid said, adding: “Among other things, immigration and FIA officials are at all airports and borders.”

Repatriation of Pakistanis

Speaking of Pakistani nationals, he said that the government has decided to evacuate them from Afghanistan within two days.

He said that since August 14th, 613 Pakistanis have been brought back from Afghanistan so far, adding that the evacuation mission will be completed on Friday.

The Minister of the Interior added that three buses carrying more than 100 Pakistanis (including women and children) were cleared at the Tolkham border this morning.

Facilitating foreigners

The minister said that Pakistan has evacuated about 900 foreign officials and diplomats from Afghanistan, adding that a special team has been set up in the Ministry of the Interior to operate 24 hours a day.

The Minister of the Interior stated that immigration officials have been instructed to provide visas to diplomats and foreign media upon arrival.

“No Afghan refugees have come to Pakistan. We are issuing transit visas to all diplomats, media and staff of other institutions,” he said.

When answering questions, the Minister of the Interior stated that Pakistan will not interfere in Afghanistan and will not allow anyone to be in Pakistan.

The Minister of the Interior expressed his belief that the situation in Afghanistan will improve.