The interim federal government of Pakistan has taken a firm stance on illegal immigration, setting a clear deadline of November 1 for such individuals to vacate the country, as reported by ARY News, a prominent Pakistani news channel. In a press conference held in Islamabad following a meeting of the apex committee, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti made the announcement and emphasized the importance of compliance with this deadline. He stated, “The immigrants have been given a deadline of November 1 to leave the country.”
Bugti went on to provide additional details regarding the government’s approach to addressing illegal immigration. He mentioned the formation of a dedicated task force tasked with taking action against those who remain in Pakistan beyond the specified deadline. Bugti also raised an intriguing point, saying, “Pakistan is the only country permitting people’s entry even without a passport,” highlighting the nation’s unique immigration policy.
Furthermore, the Interior Minister indicated that the government would take stringent measures against illegal immigrants, including the confiscation of their assets. To facilitate the reporting of illegal activities related to smuggling, he revealed the establishment of a web portal, stating, “A web portal is being established to report any illegal activity related to smuggling.”
Bugti made it clear that individuals who provide information related to illegal activities will be safeguarded, assuring the public by stating, “The names of those who provide any information related to illegal activities would be kept secret.”
Meanwhile, during a meeting of the National Apex Committee presided over by Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, a unanimous decision was made to address the issue of foreigners residing illegally within Pakistan. The committee meeting convened with high-level attendees, including COAS General Asim Munir, chief ministers from the country’s four provinces, representatives from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and Gilgit-Baltistan. The meeting provided an opportunity for security officials to brief the participants on recent terrorist incidents within Pakistan.
The gathering was also updated on the steps being taken to combat terrorism in the country and the government’s actions concerning illegal immigrants. As a result of these deliberations, it was resolved to establish a deadline for the return of foreign nationals residing illegally in Pakistan. The consequences of failing to meet this deadline were made clear, with their property being subject to seizure, as per the reporting by ARY News.
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