Authorities began arresting illegal refugees on Wednesday as the deadline for their voluntary return expired. Holding camps for the illegal refugees have already been established. Government began taking action early on Wednesday, with four Afghan refugees being arrested from Saddar in Karachi who were shifted to a holding camp. Provincial governments have been told to start acting against illegal refugees still residing withing their borders. In addition to undocumented refugees, people involved in criminal activities will also be deported. Reports added that this is the first time action is being taken under the Foreigners Act 1946. Authorities have identified 200,000 illegal refugees in Sindh and 300,000 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government has used mapping and geo-fencing to gather data about refugees. Reports said that a total of 883 comprising of 21,536 people returned voluntarily to Afghanistan on the last day of the deadline. Since the government first issued the ultimatum, a total of 126,017 have voluntarily returned to Afghanistan.
Authorities start arresting as deadline for refugees’ return expires
