ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan has started a major nationwide crackdown against Afghan nationals, arresting hundreds of "illegal foreigners", including Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders, before transferring them to camps for further repatriation to Afghanistan.
Hundreds of Afghan nationals have been taken into custody as law enforcement agencies began the deportation process for them along with their families following the Eid holidays and the March 31 deadline that was set for the voluntary return of Afghan nationals in Pakistan. Interestingly, directives issued to the security forces reveal that if any Afghan citizen is implicated in criminal activities, the entire family will face deportation as part of the country's broader punitive approach.
The Afghan Taliban government in Kabul had requested Islamabad to delay the process of repatriation of Afghan nationals in Pakistan, but Islamabad is in no mood to relent and has started conducting raids and arresting Afghan nationals from major cities.
"Notably, Pakistan has announced a renewed crackdown, stating that it will deport individuals without legal residence permits, even as valid cardholders face uncertainty," the Afghan government stated. (IANS)
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