KP cabinet stresses humane treatment to repatriating foreigners

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa caretaker cabinet on Friday stressed an orderly, humane and respectful approach to the return of illegal foreigners in line with the local traditions. 

The stress was laid at a special meeting of the caretaker cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan on Friday, said a handout.

Caretaker Minister of Information and Public Relations, Mian Feroze Jamal Kakakhel, addressed a press conference to tell the media about the cabinet meeting's decisions.

He said various issues relating to the repatriation of the illegal foreigners were discussed.

The minister said apart from caretaker cabinet members, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, Additional Chief Secretary for Home Abid Majeed, relevant administrative secretaries and officials, attended the meeting.

The cabinet received a briefing on the arrangements made for the repatriation of illegal immigrants and associated matters.

The caretaker chief minister expressed his contentment with the administration's efforts in facilitating the return of illegal immigrants to home countries and the amenities offered at the holding centres.

He commended the roles played by various departments and institutions, including district administration and police, in providing facilities and accommodations for the returning migrants.

The chief minister directed that voluntarily returning illegal immigrants should be treated with the utmost humanity, ensuring special care during their repatriation, and respecting the province's traditions and values.

Emphasizing the importance of transparency in all expenses related to the repatriation process, he called for maintaining a detailed record of both regular and emergency expenses.

Kakakhel said the chief minister mentioned exemptions for women and children from biometric requirements, facilities at transit points, and the influx of illegal residents from other provinces into KP, leading to increased responsibilities for the province.

He said an emergency had been declared in Nowshera, Peshawar, and Khyber districts to improve management.

Kakakhel said the cabinet approved the release of emergency funds for the Relief Department, with an estimated expenditure of one billion rupees. The federal caretaker government has been contacted for immediate provision. He noted that the federal government would work with provincial governments to share expenses because this issue extends beyond Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to affect all provinces.

Kakakhel said that approximately 150,000 illegal individuals had voluntarily returned, and the deportation process was going on alongside the voluntary return.