Quetta:
Balochistan High Court has prevented provincial authorities from expeling Afghan refugees to exhibit Afghan refugees who have a valid proof of registration card (POR) as the federal government intensifies its ongoing crashes on undocumented immigrants.
The order was issued in response to a constitutional petition filed by an Afghan refugee residing in Quetta.
A division bench consisting of Chief Justice Ejaz Khan Swati and Justice Mohammad Amir Nawaz Rana ruled that Afghan refugees possessing POR cards cannot be postponed from the country before June 30.
Nusrat Afghan, adviser to the Afghan union group (Aug), welcomed the decision and said the decision strengthens the legal right of documented refugees to remain in the country until mid -2025.
The federal crash – launched by police and taxes for forces issued by the Ministry of the Interior – has triggered alarms among humanitarian organizations and legal experts, emphasizing that the rights of documented refugees must be protected in accordance with both Pakistani and international law.
In Balochistan, the drive has gained momentum with a special focus on Afghan citizens residing at various districts.
According to police sources, eight families were deported from Quetta, while dozens of others voluntarily returned to Afghanistan via the Friendship Sport at the Chaman border.
Authorities enforced strict security measures during the deportation process to maintain public policy.
Meanwhile, the crash against undocumented Afghan citizens intensified in Rawalpindi on Saturday, with police detaining another 140 individuals, bringing the total number of prisoners in the city to 190.
All prisoners have been moved to a temporary possession facility created in Haji Camp, from which they will be deported to Afghanistan after further treatment, police say.
The operations are part of the federal government’s ongoing campaign to repatriate illegally resident foreign nationals.
In this regard, Punjab Inspector was General Dr. Usman Anwar President of a high -level meeting to review the status of deportations throughout the province, including Lahore.
IG Punjab said the process of deporting undocumented foreigners from Punjab continues without interruption. “Over 1,000 such persons have already been moved to appointed possession centers,” spokesman for the Punjab police said.
At present, 2,353 undocumented foreigners are held on different points, while 203 has already been deported with the help of relevant federal agencies, the spokesman added.
Dr. Usman Anwar said coordination with federal departments is in progress and that transfers are carried out from identified points to move these individuals out of Punjab’s jurisdiction.
He emphasized that attitude points were used as intermediate facilities, and district administrations are responsible for events, including transport, food and logistics. IG also instructed security to be held on high alarm throughout the deportation process.
All RPOs and DPOs have been instructed to speed up the deportation campaign and ensure a quick repatriation of all undocumented foreigners under federal government directives.
He emphasized that operations should continue based on intelligence collected by Special Branch, CTD and other security and intelligence agencies.
IG also ordered thorough mapping, scanning and screening of undocumented foreigners with full respect for human rights to be secured at all stages of the process.
District polishers have been asked to maintain tight coordination with local administrations and other relevant departments.
The meeting attended senior police officers, including further IG welfare and Finance Imran Arshad, further IG CCD Sohail Zafar Chattha, Dig Establishment-in Suleman Sultan Rana, You headquarters Dr. Muhammad Abid Khan, You Ctd Maroof Wahla, You Operations Punjab Waqas Nazir, You Special Branch Khurram Shehzad and You Ctd Umd Umd Umar Salamat.
All RPOs, CPOs and DPOs joined via video link.
Mapping, deportations in progress
Under the supervision of the foreign national security cell, operations remain against undocumented Afghan citizens in full swing. Over the past two days, 1,085 individuals have been repatriated via the Torkham border transition.
According to a spokesman, 1,359 ACC holders were deported on Saturday from team areas over Punjab. Action is also taken against undocumented ACC holders.
The department’s special cell monitors and coordinates the province’s efforts that receive daily reports from all districts, the spokesman added.
Meanwhile, the Peshawar authorities have launched the mapping of undocumented foreign nationals who reside illegally in the city, identifying over 100,000 individuals in the initial phase of the operation.
According to police sources, the mapping process aims to determine the concentration and locations of undocumented foreigners across different areas of the provincial capital.
To facilitate the operation, more than 90 dedicated teams have been formed that include staff from the police, district administration and other relevant departments. Over 200 police officers have been deployed specifically for mapping exercise in Peshawar.
In parallel, security fonts have been implemented in team centers located in both Peshawar and Khyber districts. Each of the two centers has been awarded 230 security personnel to ensure even operation and safety.
Meanwhile, the district administration reported the identification of more than 160,000 individuals who had ACC in Peshawar. Officials declared that action will be taken against them. However, formal instructions to continue against undocumented foreigners have not yet been issued.
At present, illegal foreign nationals are voluntarily repaired.
(With additional input from our correspondents in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Peshawar)
