The interim Home Minister of Sindh, retired Brigadier Haris Nawaz, announced on Monday that authorities have arrested approximately 1,700 Afghan nationals who were deemed to be “illegally residing” in Karachi. This move comes in response to the recent directive from the caretaker government, giving an ultimatum to all undocumented immigrants, including Afghan nationals, to leave Pakistan by October 31, with the threat of imprisonment and deportation.
The caretaker government’s decision implies stricter border control, requiring passports and visas for movement, while electronic Afghan identity cards (e-tazkiras) would only be accepted until the specified deadline. After October 31, an operation targeting illegal properties and businesses owned by immigrants or operated in collaboration with Pakistani nationals is set to commence.
The Sindh Apex Committee, chaired by caretaker Chief Minister retired Justice Maqbool Baqar and Chief of Army Staff Gen Syed Asim Munir, discussed the issue of concentrated areas with illegal Afghan nationals in the province. The provincial government shared an action plan to implement the federal government’s policy on the repatriation of illegal foreigners during the meeting.
Home Minister Haris Nawaz informed the media that the Sindh government is developing a mechanism to safeguard registered immigrants from any adverse actions. Committees, led by concerned SSPs and deputy commissioners, are being formed to include representatives from all institutions in the crackdown against illegal immigrants. He clarified that registered Afghans would not be affected, and a systematic repatriation of illegal Afghans would be conducted via buses through the Chaman border in Balochistan.
Addressing the law and order situation, Nawaz emphasized an extraordinary policing policy to improve the scenario of street crimes and other forms of lawlessness. He pledged to prevent the resurgence of corrupt mafias and ensure that the previous system would not be allowed to persist. Additionally, the home minister noted that an artificial water shortage was being created in Karachi following the government’s crackdown against illegal hydrants and water thieves.
