Plot to sabotage illegal Afghans return unearthed

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ISLAMABAD, NOV 01 (DNA) — A plot concocted to sabotage the return of illegal Afghans has been exposed. According to sources, anti-Pakistan forces hatched conspiracies to sabotage the peaceful process of return of illegal immigrants to their homelands.

They have planned to lure Afghans into stoking violence at camps and caravans, the insiders said, adding that firing at border crossing points from the Pakistan side is part of the plot. Moreover, Afghan women and children are tasked to film special moments to use for anti-Pakistan propaganda.

Hostile forces also devised a strategy to stage violent protests in Afghanistan to create unrest and hate-mongering against Pakistan. So far, more than 126,000 Afghans have returned without any untoward incident.

Islamabad set a November 1 deadline for undocumented migrants to leave the country. Authorities have time and again made it clear that refugees are not being expelled. Foreigners residing illegally would have to leave.

Prime Minister Anwarul Haq said the policy was not centric on illegal Afghans but encompassed all those undocumented and illegal foreigners. More than 4 million Afghan refugees for 40 years under the Geneva Convention though it was not a signatory, he told a group of students during an informal session with students a couple of days ago,

He said more than 1 million foreigners have been categorized as illegal who had been staying in Pakistan without legal and valid documents. They were being encouraged to return to their native countries, he said, adding if they wanted to return to Pakistan with the required legal documents and valid visas, there would be no restriction.

The PM said he had already given direction to the relevant authorities of the interior ministry to ensure the dignity of the repatriated women and children as there might be vulnerable groups.

He clarified that all Afghans were not terrorists but the involvement of certain groups in illegal activities was a part of the problem, adding it was the prime responsibility of the government to protect the lives of its people which was also a constitutional obligation. — DNA