A police meeting held over implementation of the national policy with regard to illegal immigrants in Karachi on Saturday. DIG East Ghulam Azfar Mahesar said that subordinate police officers were given the policy with regard to crackdown against Afghan and other illegal immigrants. “The meeting was attended by the SSPs of three districts along with all concerned officers and SHOs of operation and investigation departments of police,” DIG Mahesar said. The operation will be initiated against Afghan and other illegal immigrants till November 1st, he said.

The police department has also decided to launch crackdown against absconders and proclaimed offenders, DIG said. The authorities have ordered stern action to control heinous crimes in the city. “The department will send the officers to homes who will fail to perform,” Police top official said. Karachi Police had recently arrested 782 Afghan immigrants illegally staying in Karachi. Police department in various operations in Karachi’s eight districts from September 09 to Oct 02, arrested 782 Afghans illegally staying in the city, officials said.

Most of the illegal immigrants were arrested in Malir, Korangi and East districts. Police arrested 204 illegal immigrants in East district, 135 in Malir and 114 in Korangi districts. Moreover, 126 Afghans arrested from Keamari, 90 from Central and 58 from Karachi West district, officials said. Police also arrested 35 Afghans from the City police district and 20 from South district, according to the police.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad following the apex committee meeting, the caretaker interior minister Sarfraz Bugti said that the immigrants have been given a deadline of November 01 to leave the country. Bugti further said that a task force has also been constituted which will take action against illegal immigrants.

 Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)