Suspected Afghan nationals: Probe launched into families holding Pakistani CNICs

PESHAWAR: A number of federal and provincial government departments are investigating the cases of hundreds of families that possess Pakistani Computerised National Identity Cards but were suspected to be Afghan nationals who forged their documents to get the CNICs and passports, it was learnt.

The process was accelerated recently after the government decided to repatriate all Afghan nationals who lived in Pakistan for over 46 years. Millions of Afghans, who arrived in Pakistan after the USSR attacked Afghanistan, were warmly welcomed by the government and especially by the public.

Millions of them returned home in the last couple of decades while hundreds of thousands left for Europe and other developed countries. Till the start of the current year, Pakistan was still hosting over 2.1 million Afghan refugees. Out of these 1.3 million were possessing the Proof of Registration Cards while over 800,000 possessed Afghan Citizen Cards.

A large number of others were undocumented while tens of thousands of others were said to be those who obtained Pakistani CNICs to claim local status. “A number of departments, including Federal Investigation Agency, National Database and Registration Authority, Passport Department, Special Branch and others are investigating hundreds of cases in which there were complaints that many families who possess CNICs and passports are in fact Afghans,” a source said. He added that these investigations started on public complaints and other sources.

“During the last few months, the data of 762 families suspected to be Afghans was investigated by the Special Branch Police. However, a number of these complaints proved wrong while 170 cases are still being probed,” a source told The News.

The source added the actual data was being compiled by the district verification committees comprising the representatives from a number of departments concerned and agencies which reviewed these cases regularly.

Hundreds of those who were suspected to be obtaining fake CNICs, passports, degrees and even government employment were summoned by the FIA, Nadra, Special Branch and other departments in the last many months to verify their credentials.

The names and CNIC numbers of hundreds of suspected Afghans were also advertised in newspapers last month, asking to appear in person with supporting documents to the inquiry teams.

Pakistan recently decided to repatriate all categories of Afghans to their homeland after their 46 years of stay in the country. The repatriation was decided after the return of peace to most of the parts of Afghanistan.

The repatriation of Afghan nationals to their homeland continues via Torkham and other border crossings daily. Hundreds of families are leaving for their country daily after spending decades in Pakistan.

Some reports said the trucks that carried the luggage of the refugees to Afghanistan were not being allowed to return to Pakistan. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, no strict action has been taken against any Afghan family despite the end of the deadline on August 31. They are being asked with respect to return home since their documents are not valid anymore.

The KP Home Department last month asked Afghan nationals in the province to return to their country as their Proof of Registration Cards, ACCs and other documents have expired. They were asked to leave before August 31.

Teams were set up by the government at the sub-divisional level to identify Afghan families in their area. The assistant commissioner along with deputy superintendent of police and other officials will supervise the operations in their respective areas.

Police across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have started checking for foreigners without visas and valid travel documents after the end of the deadline for the Afghan refugees. The cops in districts have been instructed to address the issue with respect and not humiliate any refugee family.

The cops were told that following the instructions of authorities, a special checking campaign has begun from September 1 regarding foreigners. All police officers are directed to check Afghan nationals in their respective areas, including those with POR or ACC cards.

The cops were directed to verify the details of foreigners during checking, and those without valid documents should be asked to leave. Thousands of Afghans have applied for Pakistani visas in the last few months after realising they would not be allowed to stay in Pakistan without valid documents.

A large number of them have got visas while their families have returned home. Most of those who applied for the visas are vendors and shopkeepers while few run restaurants and other businesses.