At least six illegal Afghans were arrested during an operation conducted by the District South police in Karachi on Wednesday.
During the operation, six illegal Afghans living in Karachi were arrested, along with two individuals who violated the Temporary Residence Act.
According to police sources, the detained illegal Afghan residents will be moved to a transit camp after the completion of legal procedures.
In the meantime, cases have been filed against those who breached the Temporary Residence Act.
Sources also indicated that the operations were executed by personnel from the Darakhshan, Saddar, and Boat Basin police stations.
Government launches crackdown on illegal Afghans
In February, authorities executed a significant operation during Ramadan aimed at illegal Afghan nationals residing in Islamabad and various regions of Pakistan without proper documentation.
This initiative involved thousands of security forces and occurred in multiple cities, including the federal capital.
Officials reported that police, the Pakistan Rangers, the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), and intelligence agencies conducted search and combing operations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jhelum, and Chakwal.
The enforcement actions during Ramadan are part of a broader national strategy aimed at tackling the issue of Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan without valid visas.
Government launches Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan
In October 2023, the government launched the Illegal Foreigners’ Repatriation Plan, which seeks to expel undocumented foreign residents, with a particular focus on Afghan nationals.
As part of this initiative, undocumented Afghans, as well as individuals possessing specific government-issued identification cards, were assigned deadlines to exit Pakistan or risk deportation.
Officials stated that the policy was implemented in accordance with national immigration regulations, and that Afghan nationals holding valid visas are permitted to reside in the state and engage in employment within the legal parameters.
Read more: Major crackdown launched against illegal Afghan nationals
