ISLAMABAD, Feb 3: The city police have been directed to launch a crackdown on illegal immigrants, especially Afghans, sources told Dawn here on Sunday.

The sources said the government had asked the law- enforcement agencies to purge Islamabad of such people before the general elections scheduled for February 18.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Shahid Nadeem Baloch, when contacted, told this reporter that such operations were part of the routine exercise, and the police had not received any specific instructions.

The capital police regularly take action against the illegal immigrants and book them on the charges of not carrying proper travel documents.

Replying to a question about the capital city being put on red alert and Pakhtuns, especially from tribal areas, on the watch list, the IGP replied that: “The law-enforcement agencies have a set procedure and they fellow it.”

Mr Baloch said the law enforcers usually reacted to the information provided by the intelligence agencies, as it was impossible for them to keep an eye on everyone.