ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government informed the National Assembly on Tuesday that 947 Pakistani students remain stranded in Afghanistan due to the border closure since October 2025. Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said efforts are ongoing to ensure their safety and return. Dr Chaudhry replied on behalf of Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar during a parliamentary session. He clarified that none of these students are stuck at the border points. About 1,100 students have already returned to Pakistan since the border shutdown. Most returned by air, with only about two dozen coming through land routes. The Pakistani Embassy in Kabul is helping these students, who study mainly in medical colleges in Kabul and Jalalabad. Dr Chaudhry said the border was closed after Afghanistan failed to assure Pakistan the cross-border attacks would stop. Before October 2025, many Pakistani students traveled by land to study in Afghanistan. However, repeated attacks forced the border closure. Pakistan held talks with Afghan Taliban leaders in Doha and Turkey. Although Afghan representatives admitted attacks originated on their soil, they did not commit to stopping cross-border terrorism or removing militant safe zones. The minister stated Pakistan could not keep the border open amid ongoing terrorism risks. Separately, lawmakers from PPP and MQM-P raised concerns about long immigration lines and passenger issues at Karachi and Islamabad airports caused by Federal Investigation Agency checks. PPP’s Seher Kamran said 51,000 passengers were offloaded at Karachi airport, many with valid documents. MQM’s Aminul Haq described Karachi airport’s condition as "pathetic" and criticized lack of investment. Dr Chaudhry responded that the government plans to manage some airports through public-private partnerships. The UAE has shown interest in operating Islamabad Airport. He assured members their concerns will be passed on to authorities for quick action. Earlier, opposition members forced a 40-minute suspension of the assembly session over low attendance. Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah ordered the halt after counting members. This update was first published by Dawn on February 11, 2026.