LAHORE: One of the major targets of the forthcoming census is stated to be the detection of foreigners, especially Afghans living in Pakistan as its nationals and repatriating them to their country or taking them to task if involved in any criminal or terrorist activity.

According to official sources, launch of a fresh military operation against terrorists in the country in addition to the presence of Rangers in Punjab was being considered an opportune time to detect and “throw out” the foreigners who had been able to live here as Pakistani nationals.

They said in all deputy commissioners would be the focal persons for the census starting from March 15 primarily to count Pakistani population. But its undeclared aim was to also single out those who were not Pakistanis but had somehow managed to show they were by acquiring national identity cards and other documents like passports.

They said the foreigners would be singled out by checking their family tree before 1979 when Russia invaded Afghanistan, pushing millions of Afghan refugees into Pakistan. Mere presence of Pakistani national identity cards or ownership of property bought here would not be taken as a proof of one’s Pakistani nationality.

Afghan nationals living in Pakistan since 30 to 40 years ago would have to show their family history before that. This would separate wheat from chaff.

Official sources said that the antecedents of people would be checked with biometric machines and verified through Nadra record. Those not cooperating would be taken to task as “this is going to be the real cleanup operation,” a senior official said.

All Afghan refugees are expected to return to their country by December this year, according to the deadline extended by the UN.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2017