LAHORE: The Punjab government has detained some 600 illegal Afghan nationals after a due verification process and kept them at holding centres.

A first batch of around 80 illegal Afghan nationals will be handed over to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police at Swabi interchange on Friday (today) for their consequent transportation to Torkham border.

The Punjab government is preparing illegal Afghan nationals’ deportation papers at holding centres in coordination with the FIA and Nadra. Some 4,500 illegal Afghan nationals have voluntarily left during October – the one-month time given to them.

The respective district administrations had detained over 1,000 Afghan nationals but released all those who provided their Proof of Residence (POR), Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) or travel documents. Sources told Dawn that some 200 illegal Afghan nationals have been rounded up in Lahore alone.

The Afghan nationals, whose POR or ACC cards have expired, are not being detained but allowed time until Jan 31, 2024 for the renewal of their documents.

It is learnt that the Punjab government has compiled district-wise data of POR and ACC holders and found that their population stood at 277,462 on June 30, 2023.

The data break-up explains there are 189,167 POR card holders including 41,428 in Attock, 38,514 in Rawalpindi, 25,037 in Chakwal, 23,069 in Mianwali and 17,928 in Lahore.

Similarly, the break-up of 88,295 ACC holders include 18,185 in Attock; 21,302 in Rawalpindi; 8,465 in Chakwal; 5,736 in Mianwali; and 7,837 in Lahore.

All the deputy commissioners and DPOs have been provided with i-tabs carrying data about illegal Afghan nationals and other foreigners and instructed them to round up the illegal residents.

At a meeting chaired by caretaker chief minister Mohsin Naqvi, the home department presented its report about the identification of illegal Afghan nationals and other foreigners.

The meeting discussed in detail the modus operandi of operation against illegal foreigners. The home department and police were instructed to stay cautious while speeding up the exodus of illegal foreigners.

The chief minister also instructed all officials concerned not to spare those who facilitated the illegal Afghan nationals or other foreigners.

The meeting was attended by information minister Amir Mir, chief secretary, Advocate General Punjab, IG Police, ACS, ACS (Home), CCPO and Lahore commissioner, additional IG CTD, DIG Operations and other officials concerned. All divisional commissioners and RPOs attended the meeting through video link.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2023