Islamabad (Web Desk): Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti on Tuesday announced that the federal provincial authorities will begin a major crackdown on “unregistered migrants” in phases starting from November 2.
In an interview with state-run PTV news, the minister that the government will decide the border of deportation for these migrants.
"The authorities will strictly begin tracking and arresting foreigners staying in the country without registration or documents from November 2" Bugti said.
He added that migrants will be sent to temporary centers where they will be provided with basic needs such as medical care and accommodation.
"All basic facilities will be provided at these centers to illegal foreign nationals," the minister reassured.
The interior minister further clarified that the expulsion of illegal foreign nationals will be carried out in phases, and people with no travel documents will be deported in the first phase.
He stated that all provincial governments would play an active part in the operation against illegal foreigners, adding that committees have been formed at the divisional and district levels.
"The government will decide the border of deportation for "undocumented migrants," Bugti said, adding that any migrants in Pakistan illegally should go back to their countries voluntarily to avoid mass arrest and forced deportation.
In response to a query, the interior minister said that Pakistan has generously hosted the world's largest protracted refugee population for over three decades, in line with Islamic values of hospitality and generosity.
Separately, the government has finalised a comprehensive plan for repatriation of illegal foreign nationals including Afghans to their countries, the Radio Pakistan reported.
According to details, the Ministry of Interior has set up 49 holding area points across the country to help these people respectfully cross the border after thorough screening.
Out of them, 36 holding centers have been established in all 36 districts of Punjab, three in Peshawar, Haripur and Landi Kotal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, two in Kemari and Malir districts of Sindh and three in Quetta, Chagai and Pishin districts of Balochistan.
Similarly, one holding center each has been established in Islamabad Federal Capital and Gilgit.
Meanwhile, Chaman, Noor Wahab, Badini and Barab Chah crossing points in Balochistan and Torkham, Kharlachi, Ghulam Khan and Angoor Adda points in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) will be used for crossing Pak-Afghan border.
Moreover, a special App has been launched by National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) for convenience of repatriates and a control room has also been set up at Interior Ministry for monitoring the entire process.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has also launched an emergency number 1700 to deal with any situation.
As voluntary repatriation closes today, two new passport offices have been established at Qilla Abdullah and Jamrud and One Document Regime for passport has been implemented for future travelling across the Pak-Afghan border.
It is pertinent to mention that Islamabad announced earlier this month that it wanted all undocumented immigrants to leave Pakistan by November 1.