Only legal Afghans to stay: CM

Caretaker Balochistan Chief Minister Ali Mardan Domki has clarified that those Afghan nationals who have valid travel documents are welcome, saying that no ban has been imposed on their entry.

"We facilitated the Afghan refugees to legally enter Pakistan at the Pak-Afghan Chaman border," Domki said while talking to senior journalists at the CM Secretariat on Monday.

He, however, stated that action would be taken against those police officials who were reportedly involved in receiving bribes from illegal immigrants.

Regarding the tragic incident in Turbat, the CM said that the perpetrators of the terrorist attack would be brought to justice.

He admitted that there was failure on the part of the administration in the protection of six labourers who were brutally murdered in Turbat.

"We have directed the administration to ensure the registration of labourers," CM Domki said, adding that the local administration had been directed to tighten the security of labourers and bring the terrorists to book.

When asked about the imposition of Section 144 across Balochistan, the interim CM said that the blockade of Red Zone that houses the Governor House and CM House was the order of the day by protesters.

The decision had been made to avoid repeated blockades of the Red Zone and protests in the area, he mentioned.

"This is not against any political party or group," he clarified.

Domki said that for the first time in the history of the country, practical steps were adopted against smuggling and that efforts were on to bring an end to this.

The CM also appreciated the reduction in petroleum prices by the federal government, terming it a major relief for the common man.

“Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir have adopted pro-poor policies to improve the economy of the country,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2023.