Punjab Continues Deportation Drive, Over 6,000 Illegal Immigrants Deported So Far
Punjab’s ongoing campaign to deport illegal immigrants is making significant progress, with 6,132 illegal residents deported from the province, including Lahore. In addition, 2,095 illegal immigrants are currently held at various holding points across Punjab.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Police, there are 5 holding centers in Lahore and 46 across the province to facilitate the deportation process. The campaign, aimed at clearing illegal residents, is being closely monitored by federal authorities and sensitive agencies.
Inspector General (IG) of Punjab Police, Dr. Usman Anwar, stated that Pakistan, like other nations, is following international laws regarding deportation policies. He mentioned that the police have detailed records of around 89,000 illegal residents, including those holding ACC (Affidavit of Citizenship Certificate) holders, who are being processed for deportation. The federal government and relevant security agencies are actively monitoring the entire process. He also highlighted that illegal immigrants had been informed in advance about their need to leave the country before the deportation.
Dr. Anwar emphasized that all illegal immigrants, regardless of nationality, are required to return to their respective countries. He assured that the process of deportation is being carried out with high security measures and full consideration of human rights.
**Afghan Refugees and Illegal Immigrants Continue to Return from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa**
Meanwhile, the repatriation of Afghan refugees and illegal immigrants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues. On the previous day, 2,547 Afghan refugees holding Afghan citizen cards and 3,130 illegal immigrants were sent back to Afghanistan via the Torkham border. Since April 1, a total of 8,115 Afghan refugees holding citizen cards have been deported through Torkham, and since September 2023, over 491,000 illegal immigrants have been sent back to Afghanistan through the same border.
As of this month, 160 Afghan citizens have been deported from Islamabad, 4,931 from Punjab, and one from Gilgit-Baltistan. In total, 6,706 illegal immigrants have been returned from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1,573 from Islamabad, and 44 from Sindh.
Furthermore, 105 Afghan refugees, including 20 men, 24 women, and 61 children, were temporarily housed at transit points in Sialkot and Rawalpindi for overnight stays. After completing the necessary documentation, these refugees will be transferred to Afghanistan via the Torkham border.
