The government has decided to register all foreigners in the country according to interior minister Sheikh Rasheed. He was speaking to the the media in Islamabad.

He said foreigners would receive "alien cards" which would enable them to avail of services like opening bank accounts, businesses, traveling easily and also getting SIM cards.

Foreigners can get these cards once their current visas expire from the interior ministry he said.

Visas are now done online, he said, and are usually issued within 30 days of application -- unless there's any issue from security agencies.

On a question about border management with Afghanistan, he said the Chaman border will be manned electronically from August 1.

On the Pakistanis stranded in Afghanistan he said the NCOC has allowed the opening of the border for vaccinated people, adding that the NCOC will decide how to proceed with those who test positive for Covid.

On the July 25 elections in AJK he said he was confident the PTI will win, adding that he felt sure people will also vote "for the bat" in the next general election as well.

The interior minister said the government had apprehended people making fake Afghan identity cards.