Govt announces plan to deport 1.1 million ‘illegal foreigners’

WEBDESK: As a follow-up to earlier news, the caretaker government of Pakistan has revealed its decision to deport around 1.1 million “illegal foreigners” residing in the country as a step to bolster its national security.

The process will unfold in three phases.

According to the details released, the eviction process will commence with the expulsion of illegal residents in the first phase. Subsequently, the second and third phases will target individuals possessing Afghan citizenship and proof of residence cards, respectively.

Sources close to the development emphasised that these “illegally residing foreigners” pose a substantial threat to Pakistan’s security.

The Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with various stakeholders and the Afghan government, has meticulously prepared a comprehensive plan for the phased eviction.

Authorities have directed the concerned officials to compile a record of Afghans living without permits and develop a transportation strategy for their repatriation to the Afghan border. Simultaneously, stringent measures are being taken to process applications related to the registration of Afghans.

Notably, the government had recently signalled a one-month deadline for all illegal foreign immigrants, including Afghans, to voluntarily leave the country. Following this deadline, law enforcement agencies will launch a nationwide crackdown to identify and deport these illegal immigrants, the majority of whom are Afghan nationals.

The government, at the highest level, is resolute in preventing Pakistan from becoming a sanctuary for illegal immigrants. Many of these individuals are not only engaged in criminal activities but are also integral parts of smuggling networks, as stated by a reliable source.

Recent actions by authorities have led to the arrest of numerous illegal Afghan immigrants involved in illicit dollar trade, adversely impacting the country’s economy.

Moreover, a significant portion of these illegal foreigners have established various businesses in several major cities, including the federal capital. The influx of illegal Afghans is believed to be linked to the rise in street crime in Islamabad.

According to The News, it is estimated that approximately 1.1 million Afghan refugees currently reside in Pakistan without legal documentation.

Alarmingly, around 400,000 Afghans have entered Pakistan illegally since the return of the Afghan Taliban to Afghanistan in August 2021. An additional 700,000 Afghans have been identified as residing illegally in the country.

This decisive government action underscores Pakistan’s commitment to maintaining national security and upholding the rule of law. The phased approach to deportation reflects a careful and systematic response to this pressing issue, ensuring that the process is both thorough and fair.