Haris Nawaz dispels notion illegal aliens of certain origin being targeted

Sindh caretaker home minister Brig. (retd) Haris Nawaz on Monday said that it is wrong to assume that the operation launched for the repatriation of illegal immigrants residing in Pakistan is aimed at targeting the members of a particular nationality because it is against foreigners of all nationalities residing unlawfully in the country.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Balochistan interim information minister Jan Achakzai at the Karachi Press Club, Nawaz said that illegal immigrants had been given time by the government to return to their native countries voluntarily.

He said the refugees had also been asked to get themselves registered, as the government would facilitate their return. He added that the government had gathered data for launching the action for the repatriation of illegal immigrants.

Achakzai said on the occasion that the operation to expel illegal immigrants from the country would begin after one week, as announced earlier by the government. He said the Balochistan government would ensure the repatriation of each and every alien illegally residing in his province. He added that the Balochistan government has established exit points and camps for the repatriation process.

He also said that the illegal immigrants who refuse to repatriate voluntarily to their native countries would have to face imprisonment and legal cases to be lodged by the government. He pointed out that the state of Pakistan is concerned about the stay of illegal immigrants in the country and their involvement in unlawful activities.

He appealed to the political parties to not extend patronage to foreigners unlawfully residing in the country. Taking any step in this direction means going against the state’s policies, he stressed.

He informed the media that the Balochistan government would not tolerate the blocking of the highways in the province as part of any protest campaign. He hoped to resolve the tribal disputes in Balochistan while using tribal traditions. The federal agencies concerned have been providing support in the matter, he pointed out.

“For the same reason, I have met the Sindh caretaker home minister, as we have been making collective efforts,” said Achakzai. The coastal highway, and the entry and exit points of the province would be secured by the government, he added. He informed the journalists that an operation is also being conducted against the smuggling of petroleum products from Iran and that of other items from Afghanistan.