Those living in the city illegally have been urged to get themselves registered with the National Aliens Registration Authority (Nara) by fulfilling the necessary legal requirements. An appeal to this effect was made by the Director General of Nara, C.K. Chachar, while addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Friday. He made it clear that registration with Nara is very much in the interest of such persons as after obtaining the card they can live and move without any fear and Foreigners' Act would not be applicable on them.
Nara chief maintained that there are certain elements and vested interests who have been advising such persons not to get themselves registered as such a move enable them to continue their exploitation. He said that there is a need to apprise them of the true picture of the matter.
Chachar made it clear that it is in the interest of those living here illegally to get themselves registered with the Nara which would issue them a card for one year which is extendable. The cost of issuance of a card is Rs 250 and it is issued in one to two weeks' time.
He pointed out that there are five offices of Nara in the metropolis and they are located in Saeedabad, Orangi Fisheries, Ibrahim Haideri and SITE areas where there is concentration of such people.
Replying a question, the Nara chief said that his organisation was established three years ago and so far it has registered about 73,000 aliens and almost all of them are male.
He said that according to an estimate there are over 1.5 million people residing in Karachi illegally and a fair majority of them are Bengalis. To a question, he said that the Afghans do not fall under this category as their status is of the refugees.
Chachar said that there is a need to inform and convince those living here illegally to get themselves registered with Nara.
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