Pakistan enraged after suicide attacks, will expel 1.73 million Afghan citizens living illegally

Pakistan has warned all its illegal immigrants to leave the country before November 1 or face deportation by law enforcement agencies. Caretaker Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Tuesday said the welfare and safety of every citizen is of utmost importance for the government. Bugti was speaking to the media on details of decisions taken during the meeting of the Apex Committee on National Action Plan at the Prime Minister’s residence in Islamabad.

Top ministers and officials attended the meeting

The meeting was attended by the Army Chief, federal ministers, provincial chief ministers and leaders of various civil and military agencies. Bugti said that we have set a deadline of November 1 for them (illegal immigrants) to voluntarily return to their countries, if they fail to do so themselves then all law enforcement agencies will deport them. Bugti said that only November 1 deadline will be applicable for entry into Pakistan. He said people without a valid passport or visa would not be allowed to enter the country. The acting interior minister further revealed that there are currently 1.73 million undocumented Afghan nationals living illegally in the country.

Action against illegal holders of National Identity Cards

Bugti said electronic Afghan identity cards, known as e-Tazkiras, will be considered valid for entry from October 10 to October 31. After this period, the passport and visa policy mentioned earlier will apply. Furthermore, he announced that an operation would be launched by a task force established within the Ministry of the Interior from 1 November. The operation will specifically target illegal properties and businesses operating in partnership with undocumented immigrants or Pakistani nationals.