ISLAMABAD: The capital police have detained 61 foreigners for their illegal stay in Islamabad, the police said on Monday.

The arrests were made during combing and searching operations.

One of the operations was conducted by Sabzi Mandi police in I-11/4 located half a kilometre from the police station in which 39 aliens were detained for their failure to produce any legal documents, including passports and visas regarding entering and staying in Pakistan.

The Bhara Kahu police also conducted two combing operations in Athal Chowk and Kiani Road and detained 15 aliens. The Phulgran police rounded up seven other aliens from Seri Chowk.

So far, 65 cases have been registered against the foreigners who were staying illegally in the capital, the police said, adding cases were under trial in courts against such 451 foreigners.

Data being collected in Rawalpindi

In line with the caretaker government’s plan to repatriate over 1.1 million aliens living illegally in the country, the police have started gathering data about them in the Rawalpindi district.

A police official said they have started collecting data of all the foreigners illegally living in the district.

All the station house officers (SHOs) have been directed to collect the details in their respective areas and submit a report to the city police officer within five days.

Police have, however, been told not to harass any foreign national. After collecting the data, a report will be sent to higher authorities for further directives.

A large number of aliens have been residing in different parts of Rawalpindi, including Pirwadhai, Sadiqabad and Naseerabad, and doing different businesses.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2023