The government has once again asked elements with foreign origin living in South Waziristan agency to register themselves so as to avoid other options.
A press release issued from the Governor's Secretariat (Fata) here on Monday read out: "In the last couple of days, a number of statements, interviews and reports have appeared in the media on Shakai agreement reached on April 24, regarding the registration of foreigners.
"There appears a deliberate attempt to create confusion about the terms and conditions of the agreement which are simple and clear." The three major highlights of the Shakai agreement are: the five wanted men and their associate denounce militancy and will not participate in any terrorist activity, Pakistan's soil will not be used for any terrorist activity by any body and foreigners have a right to live in an honourable manner."
The press release stated that implications of the first two terms of agreement are quite clear but the spirit of the third needs elaboration.
According to immigration rules anywhere in the world, when a citizen of a particular country enters another country, he or she has to present a set of documents at the port of entry.
The alien is thereby documented and his/her entry is legalised for a certain period.
While the alien is in the host country, he/she has to obey the laws of that country, and in return is treated in an honourable manner. In case of illegal entry, violation of local laws or overstay, the violators can be prosecuted resulting in punishment or deportation.
It is evident that living honourably in a foreign country requires documentation according to laid down immigration laws and observance and respect of other laws of the state.
Contentions of certain quarters that there are no foreigners except Afghan refugees present in Fata is wrong and does not stand test of events because deadlines for the registration of these foreigners have been extended on the request of these negotiators who, time and again, go to these foreigners and come back with different requests.
They have admitted that foreigners do not want to be photographed. Such contradictory statements by these negotiators only damage their credibility and complicate the issue rather than its resolution, the press release added.
The Government of Pakistan has gone out of the way in providing opportunity for documentation to the aliens residing in Fata. Though, they have already committed a crime of illegal entry into Pakistan, the government has been magnanimous in giving them amnesty on that account or any other illegal act they may have committed provided they identify themselves and go through proper documentation according to Pakistani laws.
The date of documentation has been repeatedly extended as the government wished to resolve the problem amicably. However, the government is determined to get rid of this menace at all costs.
If the terms of the agreement are not adhered to and the foreigners do not get registered, the government will be forced to use other options.
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