Exodus underway as time almost up for ‘illegal aliens’

• Deadline for voluntary return of foreigners expires tonight, but hundreds of people still in process of leaving
• Officials doubt govt will see smooth sailing as logistics of detaining aliens may overburden prisons and holding centres
• Around 100,000 returned via Torkham, Chaman since announcement of deadline, provincial govts set to begin rounding up those who stay behind
KARACHI / PESHAWAR / QUETTA / LAHORE: The deadline for foreigners staying in Pakistan illegally is set to expire at the end of the day, but despite the government’s claims that preparations are in place for rounding up and deporting all unregistered aliens — Afghans or otherwise — officials familiar with the process foresee a lot of logistical and political hurdles.
Nearly 100,000 illegal Afghan immigrants have voluntarily gone back to their country from the Torkham and Chaman border crossings over the past month, officials said on Monday.
However, differing estimates regarding the total number of illegal immigrants in Pakistan make the deportation seem more challenging by the day.
Meanwhile, caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti warned of strict action if any Pakistanis were found providing shelter to undocumented immigrants, including Afghans, after today (Tuesday).
At a presser, he categorically said that any Pakistani national who rented out property to illegal immigrants would be considered a partner in the crime.
Separately, PM Anwaarul Haq Kakar told students at LUMS that while it was wrong to assume that all Afghans were terrorists, the involvement of certain groups in illegal activities was a part of the problem, adding it was the prime responsibility of the government to protect the lives of its people.
In addition, the Foreign Office clarified on Monday that the decision to deport illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan was in line with the sovereign domestic laws and international principles.
Responding to an earlier statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, FO Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) applies to all illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan, irrespective of their nationality and country of origin. Source: .DAWN.com/