Move to evict illegal migrants not targetted against Afghan nationals

FO says Pakistan under its sovereign domestic laws can take such action. 

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to send back all aliens living in the country illegally in the face of growing crime rate and socioeconomic issues facing the people of the country.

In this regard, all the aliens living in the country without proper documents have been given four weeks, till November 1, to go back to their respective countries or face deportation.

The ongoing operation is not targeted against any particular nationality such as Afghan nationals.

This issue was raised by reporters at the  weekly news briefing by Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch in Islamabad today.

In reply, she said Pakistan is all within parameters of its sovereign domestic laws to take such action. 

She clarified that the operation had nothing to do with 1.4 million Afghan refugees who have been living in Pakistan since decades.

“Pakistan’s national policy on Afghan refugees remains unchanged and their safe and honorable repatriation is a separate matter on which it continues to engage with Afghanistan to create conducive environment for their safe return,” she said.

About attacks by TTP terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistani areas, the spokesperson said Pakistan had already conveyed its concerns to Kabul.

She said Islamabad continued engagement with Kabul to fight the threat and resolve other issues.

The spokesperson also said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had received a formal communication from the Election Commission to invite international observers for the upcoming general elections.

“We will facilitate the process and invite international observers in accordance with the policy and past practice,” she added.

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