ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has made the decision to share data concerning arrested illegal Afghan immigrants with the Afghanistan Embassy. Pakistan has communicated the terms of reference (ToRs) related to the repatriation of Afghan immigrants residing illegally to the Afghanistan Embassy in Islamabad.
Officials from Islamabad police, the capital’s administration, and the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees met with representatives from the Afghan Embassy.
The Afghan Embassy has pledged to cooperate closely with Pakistani officials, and both sides have agreed on the repatriation of illegal Afghan immigrants from Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have also promised to provide data on arrested illegal Afghan immigrants to the embassy.
Pakistan has increased efforts to crack down on illegally residing foreigners, including Afghan immigrants, due to a rise in terrorist attacks and drug smuggling. The caretaker federal government has set a deadline of November 1 for illegal immigrants to leave the country or face deportation.
Apex Committee Meeting
The National Apex Committee had previously decided in principle to evict foreigners living illegally in Pakistan. The committee meeting, chaired by the caretaker prime minister, had high-ranking officials in attendance, including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir and the chief ministers of the provinces.
During the meeting, the participants discussed the recent terror incidents in Pakistan and the measures taken to control terrorism and address illegal immigration. They decided that after the deadline, authorities would seize the properties of foreigners illegally residing in Pakistan.
The caretaker interior minister, Sarfraz Bugti, clarified during a press conference that illegal immigrants have until November 1 to leave the country. A task force has been formed to take action against illegal immigrants, and assets owned by illegal immigrants will be confiscated. Relevant authorities are also creating a web portal to report illegal activities related to smuggling, with the promise of keeping informants’ names confidential.
