In a decisive move, Karachi police have apprehended 782 Afghan immigrants who were residing illegally in the city over the course of a 23-day crackdown, according to officials as reported by ARY News on Wednesday.
The police conducted operations across eight districts of Karachi from September 9 to October 2, targeting areas with a high concentration of illegal immigrants. The majority of arrests were made in Malir, Korangi, and East districts, with 204, 135, and 114 illegal immigrants detained, respectively.
Additionally, operations in other districts resulted in the arrest of 126 Afghans in Keamari, 90 in Central, and 58 in Karachi West. The City police district saw 35 arrests, while South district accounted for 20 apprehensions.
The caretaker Interior Minister, Sarfraz Bugti, addressing a press conference in Islamabad after an apex committee meeting, revealed that the detained immigrants have been given a deadline until November 1 to leave the country. He emphasized that a task force has been formed to take stringent action against illegal immigrants. Minister Bugti expressed concerns about the open entry policy, stating, “Pakistan is the only country permitting entry of people even without a passport.”
This move comes in the wake of a surge in terrorist attacks in Pakistan, including recent bombings in Mastung and Hangu, prompting the National Apex Committee to prioritize the eviction of foreigners residing illegally in the country for enhanced national security.
