SC disposes of plea against eviction of illegal immigrants

ISLAMABAD: A constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of a petition against the eviction of illegal Afghan refugees residing in the country.

The six-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan heard the petition.

Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar asked the counsel for the petitioner whether his application was against the caretaker government that had ended now and told him that if he disagreed with the current government’s policy then he can bring a new application.

Justice Mazhar further asked the counsel as to whether he wanted that the government should not expel illegal immigrants.

Barrister Umar Ejaz Gilani, counsel for the petitioner, submitted that this application was for the enforcement of fundamental rights.

Justice Mazhar remarked that the Constitution gives fundamental rights to the citizens of Pakistan.

During the hearing, Justice Jamal Mandokhail remarked Afghans had been living here for 40 years, children were born, grew up, and asked should they be thrown into the sea.

Justice Mussarat Hilali observed that the borders of her province (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) were open and asked as to who was responsible for terrorism.

The counsel, however, submitted that the Citizenship Act of Pakistan gives citizenship to every person born in the country.

Justice Hasan Azhar Rizvi said citizenship (right) will be for the registered and not for the illegal immigrants.

Justice Hilali remarked: “If we can’t carry our burdens, why should we carry them”.

Later, the court disposed of the case.