Punjab: campaign for evacuation of illegal foreigners continues

LAHORE: An important meeting was held at the Central Police Office under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police Punjab Abdul Kareem and Secretary Home Punjab Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi, in which a detailed review was taken of the progress in the ongoing campaign for the evacuation of illegal foreign nationals residing across the province.

Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners from across the province including Lahore, CCPO Lahore, Additional IGs South Punjab, CTD, DIG SPU, RPOs and DPOs participated in the meeting via video link.

Addressing the meeting, IG Punjab and Secretary Home said that in view of the current border situation and security concerns, police and district administration should remain on high alert at every level. They directed that the process of evacuation of all illegal foreign nationals, including Afghans, be further accelerated.

IG Punjab and Secretary Home clarified that police and district administration, under a mutually coordinated strategy, should ensure the immediate evacuation of all illegal foreign nationals from Punjab. Along with this, strict legal action will also be taken against those who provide shelter, employment, or business facilities to illegal residents.

It was directed in the meeting that illegal residents be shifted to holding points and that security arrangements remain on high alert during their temporary stay. Secretary Home directed Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners to ensure appropriate arrangements for transport, accommodation, and food for transfer to holding points.

IG Punjab said that intelligence-based information and data from Special Branch, CTD, and other security agencies should be fully utilized in the evacuation process of illegal residents. He also directed that the checking and identification process be made more effective in accordance with the mapping, scanning, and screening of illegal foreign nationals. Secretary Home Punjab directed all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and regional and district police officers to maintain effective coordination

with relevant institutions during the evacuation campaign.

Spokesperson Punjab Police, while sharing details, shared that with the assistance of Punjab Police and district administration, more than 32,730 illegal foreign nationals have been deported during the past 11 months, while at present 346 illegal residents are present at various holding points.

Among the deported individuals, 12,356 were men, 6,673 were women, and 13,700 were children. Among them, 10,441 individuals possessed proof of residence, 11,098 had Afghan Citizen Cards, while 11,190 individuals were completely illegal foreign residents.

Additional IG Operations Muhammad Ali Nekokara, Additional IG Special Branch Imran Ahmer, AIG Operations Punjab, and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.

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