Pakistan has intensified its crackdown on undocumented foreigners, particularly Afghan nationals, with authorities in Rawalpindi holding 5,439 individuals in detention centers. This surge in enforcement follows the expiration of a voluntary deportation deadline on March 31, as local police ramp up operations across the federal capital territory.
According to reports, daily raids target illegal Afghan residents, undocumented tenants, hotels, and travel agencies. Police have been ordered to maintain meticulous records, with stern departmental action promised for any lapses. In Rawalpindi, a special drive under the Tenancy Act has led to 38 additional arrests for violations.
Operations spanned key areas like Chontra, Chakri, Kahuta, Nasirabad, Chaklala, Jatli, Sadar Baruni, and Kallar Syedan. City Police Officer Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani has mandated routine search operations, urging residents to register tenants and employees at local stations to uphold law and order.
The moves come amid reports of 19 detainees going missing from centers since the deadline. Meanwhile, the Taliban regime in Kabul has voiced concerns, with deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat claiming Afghan refugees face arrests, harassment, and mistreatment in Pakistan. He appealed to the UN and international bodies for intervention and aid for returnees.
Pakistan’s year-long nationwide campaign has deported thousands of Afghans, drawing criticism from journalists and human rights activists who argue it impacts vulnerable populations. As tensions rise, the government maintains these measures are essential for national security and immigration control.