KARACHI, Oct 09 (dna): At least 1,700 Afghan nationals residing
illegally in Karachi have been apprehended, Sindh Caretaker Minister for
Home Brigadier (Retd) Haris Nawaz Monday announced during a media
briefing held outside the office of the Deputy Inspector General of
Police for the West Zone.
A nationwide crackdown on illegal immigrants, especially Afghan
citizens, has commenced in response to the federal caretaker
government’s ultimatum a week ago to all undocumented immigrants,
including Afghan nationals, instructing them to leave Pakistan by
October 31.
In his media interaction, the home minister explained that the Sindh
government was working on a mechanism to exempt registered immigrants
from enforcement actions.
He said that illegal Afghan nationals would be repatriated via buses
through the Chaman border in Balochistan, while registered Afghans would
not be affected.
According to the home minister, committees, led by relevant senior
superintendents of police (SSPs) and deputy commissioners, will be
established, with representatives from all institutions participating in
actions against illegal immigrants.
Regarding the law and order situation in the province, the minister said
that an extraordinary policing policy aimed at improving street crime
and other forms of lawlessness was being adopted.
To a media query, the minister replied that an artificial water shortage
was being created in Karachi following the government’s recent crackdown
on illegal hydrants and water theft.
Last week, the Sindh Apex Committee, attended by caretaker Chief
Minister retired judge Maqbool Baqar and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen
Asim Munir, identified areas in the province where illegal Afghan
nationals are concentrated.
