Operation launched against illegal aliens

Police enter Al-Asif Square, neighbouring localities of Sohrab Goth, Machar Colony

KARACHI:

An operation has been launched against more than 200,000 illegal aliens in the metropolitan city after the November 1 deadline for them to leave voluntarily expired on Wednesday.

A heavy police contingent launched an operation at the Al-Asif Square and the neighbouring localities of Sohrab Goth and Machar Colony, besides other pockets with dense alien population.

Action is being taken against illegal immigrants and their facilitators and protectors during the operation initiated simultaneously in all seven districts of Karachi.

The federal government had set one-month deadline for foreign nationals staying illegally in the country to return voluntarily to their respective countries,” Irfan Ali Bahadur, SSP for East District, told The Express Tribune. “Holding Centres have been set up in Karachi and throughout the country to facilitate their surrender,” he added.

Read: Operation launched against illegal aliens in Karachi

Many foreigners, particularly Afghan nationals, chose to return voluntarily with their families and belongings. However, those without proper documentation were arrested by police, had their criminal records checked, and charged under the Foreigners Act and other relevant laws. Subsequently, they were handed over to the FIA for deportation. Refugees with valid documents were released on bail by the court.

The detained aliens were shifted to the Holding Camp set up at Old Haji Camp in Sultanabad area, where officials from the FIA, Customs, and NADRA prepared temporary documents for them for their subsequent deportation.

Meanwhile, a heavy police contingent, led by SP Aziz Ahmed, launched an operation in Sohrab Goth, Machar Colony, and Al-Asif Square. They took several suspects into custody, transferring them to the SP office. The operation followed announcements on loudspeakers for illegal immigrants to voluntarily leave the country.

In the second phase, those immigrants with illegal documents, including identity cards and passports, will be arrested and punished in accordance with Pakistani law before their deportation to their home countries, officials said. Sources have added that the Sindh government has blocked the ID cards of most illegal aliens through NADRA and their assets will be confiscated.

In the third phase, settlements occupied by illegal aliens in various areas of the metropolitan city, including Super Highway, will be demolished.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2023.