Police apprehended
KARACHI/ISLAMABAD: Karachi police apprehended more than 700 Afghan individuals who were living there illegally.
The police took action in response to the federal government’s decision to expel illegal immigrants from Pakistan.
A concerted effort to crack down on Afghan nationals unlawfully residing in the country has gained momentum.
From September 9 and October 3, a total of 782 Afghan nationals who were living in Karachi without legal status were arrested.
The majority, 204 individuals were detained in District East, while District Malir accounted for 135 arrests, Keamari for 126, Korangi for 114, District Central for 90, District West for 58, and District South for 20.
Additionally, city police arrested 35 illegal refugees.
Police officials affirmed that all these Afghan nationals had been residing in Pakistan unlawfully, and they were charged under the foreigners’ acts.
Furthermore, separate cases have been registered against refugees found engaging in criminal activities.
US officials show concern over crackdown against illegal Afghanis in Pakistan
The US Department of Defense announced that the US Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III had a telephone conversation with Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir on Tuesday.
According to a statement by Pentagon Press Secretary, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin held a phone call with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Asim Munir. During the conversation, they discussed mutual interests and recent regional developments.
This announcement came shortly after Pakistan set a deadline for the expulsion of all illegal foreign nationals within the country.
The decision was made during a meeting of the Apex Committee, chaired by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, in which General Munir was also present. The committee decided to establish November 1 as the deadline for foreign nationals to depart the country.
After this deadline, any illegal foreign nationals found in the country will be deported, and their properties will be confiscated.
Meanwhile, the US State Department spokesman Vedant Patel highlighted Pakistan’s importance as a partner in the resettlement of Afghan refugees.
He said that Pakistan is an important stopover for fleeing Afghan nationals.
Furthermore, the caretaker government set November 1 deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country or face deportation.
