Islamabad (Web Desk): In a bid to improve law and order situation, the caretaker government has set November 1 as the deadline to deport all illegal foreign nationals residing in Pakistan.
This was announced by Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti while briefing the media persons about the decisions taken at an important meeting of the Apex Committee chaired by Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar in Islamabad.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), civil and military officials and other concerned authorities attended the meeting.
The interior minister said foreign nationals residing illegally in the country are being given a deadline of November 1 to leave Pakistan voluntarily.
Sarfraz Bugti said the same deadline would apply for entry into Pakistan without a passport or visa, adding that people would not be able to enter the country without those documents after Nov 1.
He said entry without the aforementioned documents was not allowed in any other country of the world.
"All the state law enforcement agencies will be mobilised to take action against the illegal foreign nationals and they will be deported after November 1," the minister said.
Sarfraz Bugti also announced that all illegal properties and businesses being run by these illegal nationals will also be confiscated after the deadline.
"Action will be taken as per the law of the land against any of the Pakistani citizens if he is also involved in illegal businesses and making huge properties by these illegal foreign nationals", he said.
The said safety and security of the people of Pakistan is the prime responsibility and foremost priority of the government.
He said that a task force has also been constituted at the Interior Ministry to launch and monitor these actions.
The taskforce will comprise officials of law enforcement agencies and intelligence agencies, Bugti said, adding that it would launch a crackdown against the people having illegal Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) and confiscate properties of the aliens.
“The National Database & Registration Authority (Nadra) has been directed to ensure cancellation of fake CNICs immediately, ” he said.
Bugti also warned of strict action against those involved in amendments to Nadra’s family tree in order to confirm their nationality.
The interior minister added that the government would utilise DNA testing to confirm the nationality of those having suspected CNICs.
Separately, Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Tuesday categorically stated that all illegal immigrants, residing in Pakistan, would have to leave the country within 28 days.
"All illegal immigrants have 28 days to leave Pakistan," the minister wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
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Earlier on Tuesday, the Apex Committee of the National Action Plan (NAP) has vowed to deal possible challenges regarding security situation and ensure implementation of constitution and law as per expectations of the people.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar chaired the high-level meeting, attended by top civil and military leadership in Islamabad on Tuesday.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), concerned federal ministers, provincial chief ministers and heads of all civil and military agencies were present in the meeting, the Radio Pakistan reported.
The participants made a comprehensive assessment of the country's internal security situation so that possible challenges can be dealt within a sustainable manner.
The participants of the meeting resolved that despite all difficulties writ of the state will be ensured.
Apex Committee made decisions include, withdrawal of illegal foreign nationals residing in Pakistan, the formalisation of border movement procedures in which movement across the border will be permitted only on passports and visas and action against illegal immigration, crack down on trade and property of illegal foreigners.
Meanwhile, a task force has been formed under the Federal Ministry of Interior to investigate fake identity cards, businesses and properties to deal with illegal identity cards and properties.
The forum reiterated the need to further enhance and strengthen ongoing operations against growing illegal activities including drug trafficking, hoarding, food and currency smuggling, illegal remittances and power theft.
The Apex Committee highlighted that the use of force is sole jurisdiction of the state and no person or group will be allowed to use coercive force.
The forum made it clear that there is absolutely no place for any political armed group or organisation in the country and those involved in such activities will be dealt with iron hands.
It was also highlighted that Islam is a religion of peace and the state will not allow anyone to achieve political goals by interpreting the religion in their own way.
The committee said that state will protect the rights of minorities given to them by Islam and constitution.
The forum emphasized that those who campaign for propaganda and disinformation should be dealt with strictly under cyber laws.
The Apex Committee reiterated its determination that the principles of faith, unity and discipline will be followed in true sense and tireless efforts will be continued for development of the country.
On Monday, the caretaker government announced that it was planning to evict 1.1 million foreigners living illegally in Pakistan because of their involvement in funding, facilitating terrorists and other illegal activities.
As per the reports, in the first phase, illegal residents, in the second phase, those with Afghan citizenship and in the third phase, those with proof of residence cards will be expelled.
“Illegally resident foreigners pose a serious threat to the security of Pakistan” said a source privy to the development and added that the plan for eviction of illegally residing Afghan citizens has also been approved as this lot is involved in funding, facilitating and smuggling terrorists whereas 0.7 million Afghans have not renewed their proof of residence in Pakistan.
It has been informed that in the first phase, illegal residents will be deported along with those who do not renew their visas.
In the second phase, those with Afghan citizenship will be deported, in the third phase, those with proof of residence cards will be deported.
The Ministry of Interior has prepared a plan in consultation with the stakeholders and the Afghan government.
In the meantime, the ministry has also issued directives to the concerned to compile a record of Afghans living without permits and prepare a transportation plan to bring them to the Afghan border.
Apart from checking the records of all the Afghans residing in the country the concerned officials were directed to quickly deal with the applications filed regarding the registration of Afghans.
