ISLAMABAD, Oct 11 (DNA): As part of the government’s plan to evict
foreigners staying illegally in the country by October 31, 2023, the
Capital Development Authority (CDA) on Wednesday bulldozed hundreds of
homes of Afghans situated on the back side of National University of
Science and Technology (NUST).
Heavy machinery was used for the purpose as large contingents of
Islamabad Police and Rangers looked on.
The CDA officials said that they had issued a notice to the residents of
the Afghan settlement four days ago to vacate their homes or else action
would be taken against them.
They said that the operation had been carried out yesterday as well.
Earlier on Wednesday, the Ministry of States and Frontier Regions
(SAFRON) had said that the Afghan nationals staying legally in Pakistan
will neither be harassed nor arrested.
In a notification, the ministry said that the Afghans possessing Proof
of Registration and Afghan Citizen Cards issued by the National Database
and Registration Authority (NADRA) were allowed to stay in Pakistan
temporarily, and that registered Afghans could only return to their
homeland voluntarily because harassing or arresting them would bring a
bad name to Pakistan.
“The respect international community has given to Pakistan and the
goodwill it has earned for hosting millions of Afghan refugees for the
last 43 years will be history if the government does not spare even
those Afghans who are staying legally in the country,” read the
notification.
A few weeks ago, the government had told the foreigners staying in the
country illegally to leave the country by October 31 or else face the
music. DNA
: As part of the government’s plan to evict foreigners staying illegally in the country by October 31, 2023){kind=link}