Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: Islamabad’s New Directive

Illegal Immigrants : In a significant development, the Islamabad police have given a 48-hour ultimatum to all illegal immigrants in Pakistan, urging them to shift voluntarily to a designated camp established at I-12. This move, as reported by Dawn, affects a long-standing Afghan refugee settlement spanning across two sectors, H-12 and I-12, in the capital city of Islamabad, where more than 5,000 Afghan refugees have been called home for nearly a quarter-century.

The police announcement, made on Monday, stipulates that individuals residing in the capital without proper legal documentation should promptly move to the camp. Notably, this directive underscores the humanitarian aspect of the operation, as authorities seek to provide support to those living in Pakistan under uncertain circumstances.

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A police officer, speaking to Dawn, revealed that while there are 54 official refugee camps scattered across Pakistan—44 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), nine in Balochistan, and one in Punjab—none exist within Islamabad and Sindh. As a result, the decision to establish a camp in I-12 was made with the aim of accommodating and assisting illegal immigrants on humanitarian grounds.

Furthermore, officials have confirmed the completion of e-tagging for foreign nationals legally residing in the capital. This data, meticulously compiled by a unit of the Counter-Terrorism Department, will play a crucial role in identifying illegal immigrants within the city.

The police have also intensified their efforts to tackle the issue by registering three additional cases against illegal immigrants and apprehending five foreign nationals who lacked proper documentation for their stay in the city.

In a recent operation, the Karachi Company police arrested three Illegal Immigrants from G-9/4. Their suspicious behaviour during routine checks led to their detention and subsequent discovery of their illegal status. Following the arrests, the individuals were taken to the police station, where a case was registered against them under Section 14 of the Foreigners’ Act.

Similarly, the Koral police apprehended an illegal immigrant in Sharifabad during a crackdown on anti-social elements. The detainee claimed foreign nationality but could not produce any legal documents to substantiate this. Consequently, he was taken into custody, and a case was filed against him.

The Pakistani police have meticulously examined and verified the immigration status of 1,172 foreigners so far. Among them, 511 individuals failed to provide legal documentation, leading to their arrest for further legal action. In response, a total of 69 cases have been registered against foreigners at various police stations across the country.

In a related development, a cooperative housing society in the capital has issued a notice, urging property owners to evict any flats or houses rented out to illegal foreigners. This decision aligns with government directives, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address immigration concerns in Pakistan.

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