After deadline, illegal foreigners will stay in holding centres: Bugti

Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti said on Thursday that illegal foreigners who continue to stay in the country after November 1 will be provided stay at holding centres before being repatriated to their respective countries.

In a press conference, the caretaker minister said no compromise will be made on the deadline of November 1 given for voluntary repatriation of foreign nationals, adding that the government has finalised a comprehensive repatriation plan for illegal foreigners.

He dispelled the impression that the government desires repatriation of Afghans only, saying that the deadline is for every foreigner who is staying illegally in Pakistan.

Nov 1 deadline applies to all illegal foreigners: Bugti

“No country accepts an individual to come and stay through illegal means,” he said.

The interim minister said foreigners would be allowed to take amount in their local currency equal to 50,000 Pakistani rupees. They will not be allowed to take dollars out of the country.

“Strict action according to the law of the land will be taken against Pakistani nationals involved in facilitating illegal foreigners in obtaining documents, properties and managing businesses in Pakistan,” Bugti warned.

Over 59,000 ‘illegal refugees’ repatriated to Afghanistan

Last month, the caretaker government directed all illegal immigrants to sell their properties and leave the country by November 1.

Over 50,000 illegal Afghan refugees have so far been repatriated to their country, as per Radio Pakistan, for which the Commissionerate for Afghan Refugees has made appropriate arrangements.

Security officers of Pakistan Army, police personnel, government administration, traffic police, and FC personnel are also actively engaged at the border for safe return of the Afghan nationals.

Last month, addressing a press conference after the apex committee meeting under the chairmanship of the interim prime minister, Bugti stated that illegal foreign residents were being given a deadline of November 1 to leave the country.

The minister informed that 1.73 million unregistered and illegal Afghans are currently living in Pakistan.