KARACHI: Over 200 illegal immigrants, mostly Afghans, were detained by law enforcers in different parts of Karachi on Wednesday and handed over to ‘Afghan transit centres’, previously known as holding centres.

The centres were established in the metropolis for onward journey of illegal immigrants’ to Jacobabad and then to Balochistan for their repatriation to Afghanistan through the Chaman border, police said.

As many as 350 Afghans were detained by law enforcers across the city, said South-DIG Syed Asad Raza who looked after two such centres.

Some 200 detained persons were kept at two centres at Haji Camp and Pakistan Scouts Hostel (Boys) in Sultanabad as they did not have any valid papers, or the Proof of Registration Cards, while the rest of them were released after proper verification, he added.

He added that previously known ‘holding centres’ had now been renamed Afghan transit centres.

The DIG clarified that the detained people were treated with ‘respect’ as their ‘dignity and human rights’ could not be violated. He added their welfare was also looked after quite well.

He said these 200 detained people would be sent to Balochistan in the early hours of Thursday morning for their repatriation to Afghanistan.

A major operation was carried out in Machhar Colony and Ganna Mandi near Sohrab Goth.

During the operation, a total of 54 ‘illegal’ Afghans were detained and handed over to the centres, said East-SSP Irfan Bahadur.

He claimed that the law enforcers did not face any resistance from the aliens during the action.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2023