KARACHI: Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai has asked political parties not to patronise illegal immigrants living in the country, saying that whosoever tried to do so was going against the state.

Addressing a joint press conference along with Sindh Home Minister retired Brig Haris Nawaz, he said that some political parties in Balochistan were also talking against the action against illegal immigrants and added that it was the decision of the state to deport aliens belonging to different countries.

“The opposition to the action against illegal immigrants by any political party will be considered against the state,” he said.

The Balochistan minister was of the view that the political parties opposing the massive crackdown on illegal immigrants wanted to achieve political gains.

Interim home minister says lists of aliens being compiled in Sindh

He said that there was only one week left for illegal immigrants to leave the country voluntarily. “The illegal immigrants who do not leave for their respective countries voluntarily will be arrested and booked in cases,” he warned.

Mr Achakzai said that the state was concerned about the illegal immigrants who were also involved in criminal and illegal activities.

He said that blocking of highways in Balochistan would not be tolerated and strict action would be taken against those involved in such activities. “We will make the coastal highway safe and we are also making the entry and exit points safe in the province.

To a question, he said that the operation against the smuggling of illegal Iranian diesel and Afghan goods was still going on.

The Sindh home minister said that the illegal residents had been given a deadline to leave the country voluntarily and added that the provincial government was ready to provide facilities to them.

He further said that data on illegal immigrants was being compiled. “The impression that the operation is only against those belonging to one country is not correct,” he said, adding that the crackdown was against all foreigners who were illegally staying in the country.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2023