Commissioner Reviews Repatriation Plans for Illegal Foreigners

News Desk

Rawalpindi: Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Liaquat Ali Chatta emphasised that no country permits its citizens to reside illegally within its borders. Illegal residents, by their very nature, evade the reach of the law which can contribute to an increase in crime rates.

This observation came as Liaquat Ali and Deputy Commissioner Dr Hasan Waqar Cheema paid a visit to the camp established at Khayaban Sir Syed for the repatriation of undocumented foreign nationals. During the visit, they thoroughly assessed and reviewed all the arrangements put in place to facilitate the repatriation process.

Commissioner directed that the Assistant Commissioner Cantt remain stationed at the centre to supervise all the arrangements and the repatriation process.

Such centres have been set up in every district of the division where illegal residents are being kept and they would be deported from the Torkham border on Friday and Saturday, informed Ali.

Liaquat mentioned that NADRA desks have also been set up at the centres, where the records of those brought were checked immediately. A control room has been set up to make the security foolproof, where continuous monitoring is being done. Those who have a licence, card, or reason for staying are released, he added.

A medical camp and adequate arrangements have also been made in the centre for the security of the illegal foreign nationals, Chatta said.

The illegal residents who are being brought to the centre do not face any difficulty. They are being treated like guests, and food, drinks, medical care and security are being provided to them, Ali further added.

A total of 117 people were brought into the centre set up in Jhelum, 240 in Attock, 14 in Rawalpindi, and 75 in Chakwal, who would be sent to KP tomorrow morning for further repatriation.

Nearly 1,000 foreigners have voluntarily returned from Rawalpindi and the police are searching for illegal residents in the field, he added.

Commissioner told that some illegal housing societies have kept illegal foreigners as guards, and strict operations are going on against them. The operation would continue until the last illegal foreign national is deported, he further added.