ISLAMABAD, Feb 10 (APP):Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhary on Tuesday informed the National Assembly that around 1,100 Pakistani students have already returned home following the closure of the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
Of these, 26 entered Pakistan via land routes, while the remaining students were repatriated by air, he said while responding to a calling attention notice moved by Anjum Aqeel Khan regarding Pakistani students stranded in Afghanistan due to closure of border.
The minister said that 947 Pakistani students are currently still in Afghanistan. He added that the Pakistani Embassy remains in constant contact with them and is providing all possible facilitation to ensure their safety and eventual return.
He said that most of the students are enrolled in medical colleges in Kabul and Jalalabad and are continuing their studies.
He clarified that they are not stranded at border points.
The minister said that Pakistan decided to close the border after the Afghan government failed to provide assurances that cross-border infiltration and firing from Afghan soil would be halted.
He added that before October 2025, when the border remained open, a large number of Pakistani students regularly travelled via land routes to pursue their education in Afghanistan. However, the border was closed in October, 2025 following repeated cross-border attacks.
He further informed the House that Pakistan held several rounds of talks with the Afghan Taliban authorities, including meetings in Doha and later in Türkiye. While Afghan representatives acknowledged that attacks originate from Afghan soil, they did not offer firm assurances to end cross-border terrorism or dismantle militant safe havens.
The minister said Pakistan could not allow a situation where cross-border terrorism continues while trade and movement remain open, adding that border crossings with Afghanistan were closed as a security measure.
He acknowledged that the closure created difficulties for Pakistani students but said temporary facilitation through land routes earlier allowed around 1,100 students to return. The Pakistani Embassy in Kabul, he added, continues to assist students by resolving visa-related and other issues.