ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday announced that the provincial and federal authorities will launch a major crackdown on unregistered and illegal immigrants in phases starting from November 2.
In an interview with the state-run news channel, Bugti said that authorities will strictly start tracking and arresting foreigners staying in the country without registration or documents from November 2. Migrants would be sent to temporary centers where they would be provided with basic needs such as accommodation and medical care. He assured that all basic facilities would be provided at these centers to illegal immigrants.
Bugti clarified that the expulsion of illegal immigrants would be carried out in phases, and people with no travel documents would be deported in the first phase.
He said that all provincial governments would play an active part in the operation against illegal immigrants, and committees have been formed at the divisional and district levels.
He added that the government will decide the border of deportation for undocumented migrants and foreign nationals, adding that any migrants residing illegally in Pakistan should go back to their countries voluntarily to avoid mass arrest and forced deportation.
In response to a question, Bugti said that Pakistan has generously hosted the world’s largest protracted refugee population for more than three decades, in line with Islamic values of hospitality and generosity.
Balochistan Announces Crackdown Against Illegal Immigrants
Moreover, Balochistan Caretaker Minister for Information Jan Achakzai said that a crackdown would be launched against illegal immigrants from tomorrow (Wednesday).
Achakzai advised all illegal immigrants to quit Pakistan, adding that action would be initiated under the Foreign Act.
He said that all properties of illegal immigrants would be sealed tomorrow. Those providing shelter and employment to illegal immigrants will also face strict legal action. 30,000 people have so far crossed into Afghanistan, he maintained.
The minister earlier said that the government would take indiscriminate action against all illegal immigrants on the expiry deadline of October 31.
