KARACHI, Oct 6: No proper survey of aliens residing in Karachi has been conducted while the data collected by National Alien Registration Authority reveals that more than 1.88 million aliens are residing in Karachi alone, a majority of whom are reluctant to get themselves registered.

During a briefing to joint secretary, Ministry of Interior, Ziaul Islam, DG NARA, Sheikh Mazharul Haq, highlighted the difficulties in persuading the aliens to get themselves registered and said that lack of coordination among dealing departments was aggravating the situation.

It was highlighted that about 19 per cent of Karachi’s population is alien, of whom Bengalis constitute a vast majority, followed by Burmese and others, while the Afghanis are not considered illegal residents as they have been granted the refugee status.

Mazharul Haq expressed the hope that illegal residents would get themselves registered before Dec 31.—PPI