Islamabad (Web Desk): The government has initiated a nationwide operation to deport the illegal foreign nationals including Afghans after the expiry of the deadline.
The Interior Ministry, for the first time in country's history, has issued instructions to all provinces to deport illegal foreigners under the Foreign Act 1946.
The caretaker government has warned of strict legal action if any Pakistani is found to be involved in harboring illegal foreign nationals, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The repatriation plan will apply to all foreigners residing illegally in Pakistan. No country or nationality will be taken into account in the application of the plan.
The security forces have completed the process of identifying illegal Afghans by mapping and geo-fencing.
The Ministry of Interior on Wednesday shared a total number of returnees who volunteered and opted to go back to countries of origin within the one month amnesty time period.
According to the data shared by ministry’s representative, 140,322 undocumented foreigners voluntarily left Pakistan so far.
Identification process of 200,000 illegal foreigners residing in Sindh has been completed.
Of the 300,000 Afghan citizens residing illegally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), individuals who do not leave voluntarily will be shifted to detention centers.
In Punjab and Balochistan, operation has also been initiated to deport illegal Afghans and their data is being checked by scanning.
Moreover, Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti wrote a message on social media platform that the government bid a farewell to 64 Afghan nationals first day after the deadline as they embarked on their journey home.
He wrote that the action was an expression of Pakistan’s determination to repatriate any foreigner who did not have the necessary documents.
According to the ministry’s handout, from November 1, the process of arrest and subsequent deportation of illegal aliens had begun, however, the voluntary return of illegally staying aliens would also continue and be encouraged.
All returnees and deportees would be treated with dignity and respect and all necessary facilities including food and medical aid would be provided to them in the holding centers, it added.
The minister had already issued directives to the concerned officials and agencies to be respectful with detainees and undocumented immigrants while detaining them.
He warned of strict action against officials found involved in manhandling the immigrants including Afghan national while transporting them to the holding centers.
The ministry has also set up a helpline for complaints regarding the eviction of illegally staying foreigners.
Foreign nationals can lodge any complaint regarding evacuation on these telephone numbers as well as people can also report information about illegal aliens at these numbers 051-111367226 and 051-9211685.
“We have given clear instructions to all agencies and officials to treat women, children and elders with special care and respect” the minister said, adding that the arrangements for food and medical facilities were made in the holding centers.
The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has collected entire data of undocumented immigrants in the country through geo-fencing, the minister said, adding that those who still tried to escape government’s amnesty would be caught from their hideouts.
Earlier on Tuesday, the government announced it has finalised a comprehensive plan for repatriation of illegal foreign nationals including Afghans to their countries.
As per the details, the Ministry of Interior has set up 49 holding area points across the country to help these people respectfully cross the border after thorough screening.
Out of them, 36 holding centers have been established in all 36 districts of Punjab, three in Peshawar, Haripur and Landi Kotal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in Kemari and Malir districts of Sindh and three in Quetta, Chagai and Pishin districts of Balochistan.
Similarly, one holding center each has been established in Islamabad Federal Capital and Gilgit.
Meanwhile, Chaman, Noor Wahab, Badini and Barab Chah crossing points in Balochistan and Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Angoor Adda points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will be used for crossing Pak-Afghan border.
Moreover, a special App has been launched by NADRA for convenience of repatriates and a control room has also been set up at Interior Ministry for monitoring the entire process.
The KP government has also launched an emergency number 1700 to deal with any situation.
As voluntary repatriation closed yesterday, two new passport offices had been established at Qilla Abdullah and Jamrud and One Document Regime for passport had been implemented for future travelling across the Pak-Afghan border.
It is pertinent to mention that Islamabad announced earlier this month that it wanted all undocumented immigrants to leave Pakistan by November 1.
