Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti has said that the plan to expel illegal foreigners has been completed, and they will be shifted to 'holding centers' in their respective provinces, upon completion of the Nov 1 deadline for them to leave the country.

Bugti, addressing a press conference, said that the families of illegal foreigners — children and women —will be treated with utmost respect.

“There will be no compromise on the issue of return of foreigners,” he clarified.

Bugti said that after Nov 1, those who do not leave will be arrested and kept in holding centres. He also announced that the returnees could carry a maximum of Rs50,000 with them.

“Those creating fake identity cards and facilitating the illegal refugees will also be punished,” he said.

Illegal properties to be seized

Sarfraz Bugti said illegal properties of the illegal foreigners, including Afghan refugees, will also be confiscated and announced that action will be taken against the Pakistanis who facilitate the illegal foreigners.

First flight departs today

Afghan refugees of the special category are left under the supervision of British High Commission staff. All procedures including travel documents for special-category Afghan refugees have been completed. The FIA immigration counter is arranged separately at the airport. The first chartered flight carrying 132 Afghan refugees departed from Islamabad to the UK.

In this regard, arrangements have been completed at Islamabad International Airport. Airbus-330 chartered aircraft will be operated for the evacuation of Afghan refugees once a week.

The chartered flights will reach Islamabad from the UK, whose ground handling will be done by the national airline.

SAMAA TV reported that over 2,000 Afghan refugees will be evacuated through 12 special chartered flights.

The evacuation operation will continue till December.

According to diplomatic sources, Britain is only providing flights to the Afghans who are part of the resettlement scheme. Those included in the scheme and cleared for travel have seats booked in their name on the special flights.

British High Commission clarification

The British High Commission has clarified that the country is only providing flights to Afghans who are part of the resettlement scheme.

“Seats are reserved on designated flights for Afghans included in the scheme and cleared for travel,” the spokesperson added. “Afghans who are not part of the resettlement scheme should not travel to Islamabad Airport."

KP govt issues toll-free number

The government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has asked for help from citizens to identify illegal foreigners. For this purpose, a toll-free number has been issued for the citizens. The KP government has urged citizens to perform their duty and identify illegal foreigners in their respective areas.

“It is not possible for foreigners to reside illegally,” the provincial government said.

The KP government also deployed staff for immediate guidance and providing information 24 hours to solve the problems.

It is pertinent to note that the voluntary withdrawal deadline has been set for October 31, and the government has announced a crackdown and action against aliens from November 1.