Pakistan Begins Immediate Arrest of Illegal Afghan Nationals After Deadline Expires

Islamabad: Pakistan has stepped up its campaign against illegal immigration after the deadline for undocumented Afghan nationals expired, with the federal government ordering immediate action against those residing in the country without valid visas.

According to official directives, Afghan nationals staying in Pakistan without legal documentation or valid visas will now be subject to immediate arrest as authorities accelerate efforts to repatriate undocumented migrants.

Officials also warned that legal action will be taken against individuals found providing shelter or rental accommodation to undocumented Afghan nationals in violation of the law.

As part of the enforcement campaign, authorities have completed the geo-tagging and geo-fencing of Afghan nationals in Rawalpindi and other parts of Punjab to facilitate identification and enforcement operations.

Provincial authorities have been instructed to submit daily reports to the Ministry of Interior, detailing the number of undocumented Afghan nationals detained, the progress of enforcement operations, and the current status of those taken into custody.

According to officials, the Ministry of Interior had earlier, on June 28, issued directives to the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and all provinces, instructing deputy commissioners to expedite enforcement measures using geo-tagging data to identify and apprehend undocumented Afghan nationals.