ISLAMABAD: Sindh interim Home Minister retired Brigadier Haris Nawaz stated on Monday that authorities have arrested 1,700 Afghan nationals who were “illegally residing” in Karachi.
In a media talk outside the office of West Zone deputy inspector general of police, he stated, “All illegal immigrants living in Sindh would be deported.”
This development follows a week after the caretaker government issued an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, requiring them to leave Pakistan by October 31. Failure to do so would result in imprisonment and deportation to their respective countries.
The decision was made to make movement across the border subject to passports and visas, with electronic Afghan identity cards (e-tazkiras) accepted only until October 31.
Once the deadline passes, authorities will initiate an operation targeting illegal properties and businesses owned by immigrants or those operated in collaboration with Pakistani nationals.
Following the government’s deadline, a crackdown on illegal immigrants, particularly Afghan citizens, has begun across the country.
Last week, during a meeting of the Sindh Apex Committee, attended by caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar and Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, it was reported that areas with a concentration of illegal Afghan nationals in the province had been identified.
The provincial government shared that it had provided the interior ministry with an action plan to implement the federal government’s policy on the repatriation of illegal foreigners.
Nawaz, speaking to the media, explained that the Sindh government was developing a mechanism to avoid affecting registered immigrants. He mentioned the formation of committees led by concerned SSPs and deputy commissioners, which would include representatives from all institutions for action against illegal immigrants.
Sindh Home Minister’s Action Plan
Illegal Afghan nationals, the home minister stated, would be repatriated through buses via the Chaman border in Balochistan, while registered Afghans would not be affected.
Regarding the law and order situation in the province, Nawaz expressed, “We have adopted an extraordinary policing policy,” aiming to improve the situation of street crimes and other lawlessness.
He emphasized their commitment to preventing corrupt mafias from becoming active again, vowing that the previous system would not be allowed to persist.
The home minister’s statement suggests that there is an active effort to create an artificial water shortage in Karachi following the government’s crackdown on illegal hydrants and water thieves. This means certain individuals or groups might be intentionally manipulating water supply to maintain control or profit from the situation.
