LAHORE:
Punjab’s Home Minister and Inspector General of Police have ordered to speed up the evacuation from the province of all illegal foreign nationals, including Afghan nationals,
Chairing a meeting, the officers said the police and district administrations should pursue a coordinated strategy to ensure immediate evacuation of all illegal foreign nationals from Punjab.
They said strict legal action would also be taken against those who provide shelter, employment or business facilities to illegal residents.
Illegal residents were ordered to be moved to holding points and security measures remain on high alert during their temporary stay.
The Home Secretary directed the Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to ensure adequate arrangements for transport, accommodation and food for the holding facilities.
The IG said that intelligence-based information and data from Special Branch, CTD and other security agencies should be fully utilized in the evacuation of illegal residents.
He also ordered that the vetting and identification process be made more efficient in line with the mapping, scanning and screening of illegal foreign nationals. He directed all commissioners, DCs and regional and district police officers to maintain effective coordination with relevant institutions during the evacuation campaign.
A Punjab Police spokesman said that with the assistance of the district administrations, more than 32,730 illegal foreign nationals had been deported during the last 11 months, while 346 illegal residents were present at various checkpoints.
