Pakistan gives ‘illegal’ immigrants till Nov 1 to exit country

“Illegal” immigrants or “aliens” have till November 1, 2023, to leave Pakistan voluntarily, said Interim Interior Minister Sarfaraz Bugti on Tuesday.

He warned that action will be taken against those found residing in the country unlawfully.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad after a meeting of the apex committee on the national action plan and eliminating terrorism, Bugti stressed that the caretaker government’s priority was ensuring the safety of Pakistani citizens.

The announcement comes after a deadly suicide blast claimed the lives of at least 60 people in Balochistan’s Mastung and left several others injured last Friday.

That same day at least five people were killed in a blast inside a mosque in a police station in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu district.

Bugti apprised that Afghan nationals were found to be responsible for at least 14 of the 24 suicide bombings in the country this past year.

Illegal immigrants should leave before November 1 or they would face forcible expulsion, he said.

The minister further warned that businesses being run by illegal migrants would be confiscated.

All law enforcement agencies are being mobilised to eliminate terrorism and ensure the exit of illegal foreigners, he stressed

Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi also confirmed the deadline on a post on X, formerly Twitter. The minister stated that, “All illegal immigrants have 28 days to leave Pakistan.”

Task force constituted

Earlier, the apex committee of the National Action Plan (NAP), expressing resolve to expel illegal foreign residents and take strict action against their businesses and properties, constituted a task force to scrutinise and do away with fake identity cards and business activities.

The committee, which met in Islamabad under the chairmanship of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, also decided to widen the scope of ongoing action against illegal activities like drug smuggling, hoarding, smuggling of currency and eatables, illegal money transfer and power theft, a PM Office press release said.

Attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir, relevant federal ministers, provincial chief ministers and heads of civil and military law enforcement agencies, the apex committee decided that movement at the border would be subject to the passport and visa, in a view to document the processes.

The task force that would work under the interior ministry would help scrutinise the fake identity cards, businesses and properties in order to get rid of the same. The participants of the meeting reviewed the internal security situation in the country with a view to overcome the challenges durably.

They resolved that despite all odds, the government would ensure implementation of the Constitution and the law as per the public aspirations.

The forum reiterated that the use of force was only the state’s mandate and no individual or group would be allowed to use the same. Besides, there was no room for armed political organisations or groups and the people involved in such activities would be dealt away with strictly.

In the meeting, it was also highlighted that Islam was a religion of peace and the state would never allow anyone to interpret the religion just to serve own political interests.

“The rights and religious freedom of the minorities were the component of Islam and Constitution of Pakistan and the state would ensure their provision,” it said.

The apex committee stressed that those spreading propaganda and disinformation should be dealt with strictly under cyber laws.

The participants were informed that technical procedures were being devised for the awareness and implementation of the laws, which were being promulgated keeping in view the observance of the law and the convenience of the people.

The forum reiterated its resolve that the principles of faith, unity and discipline would be followed in the true spirit and tireless efforts would be continued for the development of the country.