Punjab Intensifies Crackdown on Illegal Afghan Nationals

Maryam Nawaz, the Chief Minister of Punjab, has launched a robust initiative targeting illegally residing Afghan nationals in the province. Unveiling a multifaceted strategy, she directed mosques to make announcements to help identify Afghans without documentation.

In a further move to intensify the campaign, Nawaz mandated the police to closely monitor rental properties for illegal residents, using facial recognition technology as a tool for identification. She also called for a comprehensive field survey to gather data and established 45 holding centres to accommodate Afghans prior to deportation.

This push is part of Pakistan's wider Illegal Foreigner Repatriation Plan. The Chief Minister underscored the necessity of these actions due to the national security risks and economic pressures posed by the high influx of Afghan refugees.