ISLAMABAD: Authorities have initiated a large-scale operation targeting illegal Afghan residents across Punjab, including major cities such as Islamabad and Lahore. In a late-night raid in the federal capital, police apprehended 17 Afghan nationals residing in the country without legal documentation.
The search operation was led by the SP City at the Secretariat Police Station in Bari Imam, where the Afghan migrants resisted arrest but were ultimately taken into custody. These detainees have been transferred to the police station and are set to be deported to Afghanistan from the Torkham border.
In addition to Islamabad, similar operations began across Punjab to identify illegal Afghan residents. Nomadic Afghan families are being geo-tagged, and data for individuals holding Pakistani identity cards is also being verified. The Lahore authorities have resolved to take strict action against those who have fraudulently registered as Pakistani families.
Police sources disclosed that the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) is assisting in cross-checking family trees and records, as many Afghans have been living in Pakistan for over four decades with Pakistani identity cards. The police sources said those holding residential permits and Afghan citizen cards are also being sent back to Afghanistan.
Separately, the process of evacuation of Afghan migrants from Faisalabad has been completed, with all Afghan migrants voluntarily relocating to Peshawar. The Faisalabad administration had prepared a list of 413 Afghan migrants, but during the search, an additional 35 were discovered, making a total of 448.
To avoid arrest, all left the city voluntarily. The Foreigners Cell of Faisalabad Police has declared the city clear of Afghan migrants. Abu Zar Sarwar Bhatti, in charge of the Foreigners Cell at Faisalabad Police, stated that no Afghan nationals remain in Faisalabad. Abu Zar Sarwar Bhatti said before leaving, the Afghan migrants submitted affidavits to the administration.
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