Govt targets Afghans with Pakistani CNICs

Solicits record of refugees from 15 union councils

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PESHAWAR:

As part of a crackdown on Afghan nationals who have illegally obtained Pakistani Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC), records have been solicited from the secretaries of 15 union councils in Peshawar.

Official sources told The Express Tribune that the scope of the investigation into the issuance of CNICs to refugees has been further expanded. Authorities have also identified Pakistani citizens who have added these refugees to their family records.

Lists are being finalized of Afghan refugees residing in various areas of the city, including Khyber Bazar, Gunj, Namak Mandi, Jinnah Park Road, Dir Colony, Zargarabad, Peepal Mandi, Hayatabad, and Afghan Colony, as well as those running businesses in local markets. Legal action is expected to follow.

Sources revealed that the secretaries of various union councils of Peshawar have been summoned for investigation along with records, while investigations are also being initiated regarding the identity of some government employees.

It may be recalled that the government has reaffirmed April 30 as the final deadline for all foreign nationals residing in the country without valid visas to leave, with the Interior Ministry intensifying its crackdown under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan.

The move particularly targets undocumented Afghan nationals, with Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry announcing the renewed push at a press conference in Islamabad on Friday.

"Pakistan has shown unmatched hospitality for decades, but time has come to strictly enforce our immigration laws," Chaudhry said.

His statement came ahead of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar's visit to Kabul, where a high-level Pakistani delegation held talks with the Afghan government.

The government had initially set a March 31 deadline for Afghan citizens lacking legal documents or holding Afghan Citizen Cards to voluntarily return. That deadline was later extended to April 30.

Since the start of April, over 84,800 Afghan nationals have been repatriated, according to Chaudhry. He said the process is being handled in a "lawful, organised, and humane manner," with coordination from Afghan authorities to ensure a smooth transition.

Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees over the past 40 years, but currently over 2.1 million remain, mostly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and other provinces.

Officials cite rising national security threats as the reason behind the crackdown. More than 1,600 people were killed in attacks last year, nearly half of them security personnel.

Chaudhry also warned of strict action against Pakistanis providing housing, jobs, or other services to undocumented foreigners. "If anyone gives a shop, house, or any kind of space to an illegal foreigner, they will be held accountable under the law," he said.

He further revealed intelligence suggesting some weapons left by US forces in Afghanistan have ended up in the hands of terrorists, posing a grave regional threat. "Our policy is not driven by hostility but by the need to uphold the law, ensure public safety, and protect national interests," he said.