Pakistan

Illegal foreigners impact Pakistan’s security, economy: COAS

  • Says decision to repatriate them taken by government in interest of Pakistan
Published December 7, 2023

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir said on Thursday that illegal foreigners were affecting Pakistan’s security and economy, and the decision to repatriate them has been taken by the government in the interest of the country.

The COAS said this in an interactive session with the participants of the First National Workshop Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (NWKP-1), according to a Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) press release.

“The COAS was given a detailed briefing on the overall security situation, ongoing counter-terrorism operations, repatriation of illegal foreigners, and socio-economic developments in the Newly Merged Districts,” the ISPR said.

The army chief said that the repatriation of illegal foreigners was a decision taken by the government in the interest of Pakistan.

He said illegal foreigners are being repatriated to their countries in a humane and dignified manner as per the established norms.

His remarks are related to a decision by the caretaker government taken in October which directed all illegal immigrants to sell their properties and leave the country by November 1.

‘Prosperity of Pakistan linked to KP’

The ISPR said that COAS Munir linked the prosperity of Pakistan with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and said “nefarious designs of forces inimical to peace and stability of Pakistan are being foiled through a synergetic and comprehensive strategy.”

Referring to KPK, he highlighted the importance of economic growth and development in Newly Merged Districts.

He added that “Pakistan is destined to succeed and the Army will continue to undertake its selfless and sacred duty of safeguarding every inch of the motherland till last drop of blood.”

‘‘The resolute support of people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Security Forces has resulted in stability in the province and materialization of progress on projects of socio-economic development’’, the COAS remarked.

Comments

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Maqbool Dec 07, 2023 11:20am
Best thing the Army has ever done, mubarak
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Dabeer Razvi Dec 07, 2023 11:31am
Thank you, Sir. It is much appreciated. In my opinion it should have been done 30 years ago.
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PakDesertRose, Muridke Dec 07, 2023 11:51am
True Patriots are with you. Pakistan is with you. Need more funds to keep the wheels of freedom running.
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PakDesertRose, Muridke Dec 07, 2023 12:00pm
Afghanistan not viable after FATF. Please activate Ethiopian or Uganda branches. Zimbabwe is second home.
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KU Dec 07, 2023 12:32pm
True, and it is also true that born and bred nationals working as public servants are posing more of a security risk for the country and engaged in crimes against the economy of Pakistan. A similar clearance operation is needed to weed them out to save the country.
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Doc Asad Dec 07, 2023 02:11pm
Despite the fact that I hate him, this statement is true , PLease get rid of afghanis from Karachi also, not just your beloved punjab
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Kat Dec 07, 2023 02:13pm
Good. Illegal immigrants should be sent back immediately and there should be zero tolerance on smuggling of any kind. No more dry ports
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Aam Aadmi Dec 07, 2023 02:59pm
In the first place who brought these Afghans into Pakistan decades ago? It was during dictator Zia's time that Afghans were brought in to create the so-called 'steategic depth' into which we ourselves eventually fell and suffered heavily. It was the Army who pampered the so-called ' Good Taliban' to serve our purpose but when they came onto our neck, we started crying. What was the need to act as "Hatim Tai" at that time if we did not have the capacity to accommodate these Afghans. First you commit serious mistakes, then you start taking credit for rectifying those mistakes. Please let the country move forward and stop interfering unnecessarily into the State's affairs. Let politicians do politics and just serve the country in a role that has been constitutionally entrusted to you.
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Parvez Dec 07, 2023 03:17pm
Partially correct...... illegal immigrants do impact our security but to convey that they impact our economy in any big way is simplistic thinking. Our economy has been destroyed by many, many factors over the decades that stem from within our own bad governance system.
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Usman Dec 07, 2023 04:27pm
I demand the state and it's powerful institutions to privatize all SOEs and eradicate the monopoly in Power , Oil & Gas sector to save the economy of Pakistan.
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Maqbool Dec 07, 2023 07:46pm
The next step is to remove all those government paid people with foreign passports , which is anyway illegal . It’s said there were over 27,000 of them. Now that is a real security risk, so trial under Army Act.
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zh Dec 07, 2023 10:26pm
@Parvez, The disproportionately high defense budget detrimentally affects the economy by diverting funds away from education and healthcare, which are necessary for future development.
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