“There are also immigrants who are positively contributing to the betterment of the country. We are sending the illegal immigrants to their countries for Pakistan and not to hurt or create animosity with Afghanistan,” he told media and a delegation of Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at Governor House of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.

He went on to add that the government wants to establish and maintain relations with Afghanistan according to international law. “The expulsion of illegal immigrants does not mean we want to cut relationship with our neighbouring country.”

Responding to a question regarding the state’s dealing with the outlawed TTP, Kakar said there were no plans to engage the banned terrorist ogranisation in negotiations.

“Nobody wants to talk to those terrorists who are killing our children and we are killing them [TTP]. The state is strong enough to fight the [outlawed] TTP even for 100 years,” he added.

The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa bravely fought terrorism for years, he said, adding that the nation will never forget the sacrifices of the martyrs who laid their lives for the country.

“We should not hesitate to make any sacrifice for the integrity and the betterment of the country. We need to put aside our personal interests,” he added.

Read: History & Law: Why Afghan refugees cannot become Pakistani citizens

Responding to a question over the burning of people’s homes in tribal areas, Kakar said that he did not receive any report where houses are being burned on a mass-scale.

“There may be such isolated incident, however, it is not as hundreds of homes are being torched. I would direct the IG and chief secretary to give us a reality-based report and take action against culprits,” he added.