KARACHI, June 19: In view of the increasing number of terrorism incidents, the police have launched a city-wide campaign to collect data on foreigners. Action against those overstaying or involved in criminal activities would follow, Dawn learnt here on Wednesday.

The focus of the campaign would be on Afghan, Arab and African nationals. Those found involved in unlawful or criminal activities would be booked under the relevant sections of the law, well-placed sources in the police department said.

This decision was taken in a high-level meeting and a circular to all of the town police officers (TPOs) has been sent pertaining to the drive which was formally launched on Wednesday, they added.

The sources said that there was information that a number of foreigners have been overstaying their visit without getting their visas extended. All such foreigners would be picked up and forcefully deported, they added.

The sources said that a foreign hand could not be ruled out in the incidents of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the country’s image as well as its economy.

The exercise is aimed at scrutinizing the particulars of all foreigners, specially those hailing from Arab and African countries. They said that the situation arose after the fallout in Afghanistan as well as the possible involvement in criminal activities of people belonging to the landlocked country. The exercise was being carried out to purge the country of criminal elements, the sources added.

The sources also said that Bengali-speaking people were not included in the survey. The nationalities of almost all the other countries were mentioned in the order issued to the police.

The respective TPOs have been directed to gather information on all foreigners regarding their names, addresses, sponsors, workplaces, passport numbers, validity of visas, sources of income and funding, etc.

The sources said that the intelligence network of the police department identified various localities in Orangi Town, Korangi, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Gulistan-i-Johar, Gulzar-i-Hijri and others where a considerable number of foreigners have been residing illegally.

The special branch of Sindh police has also been directed to update their record on foreigners’ registration and identify those living in the country beyond the validity of their legal stay.

The provincial government suspects that Al-Qaeda members and other religious extremists have been living under the guise of students either at religious institutions or other educational institutions. The Inspector General of Police, Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah, told a news conference recently that the presence of Al- Qaeda members in the metropolis could not be ruled out.

The police have been directed to approach all educational institutions and seminaries to collect data on the students. According to police intelligence, thousands of foreign students have been getting education in religious seminaries without obtaining a valid visa or their visa has expired but they are still studying here.

The sources said that the government wanted them to get their visa extended in accordance with the law and those who failed to do so would be deported to their respective countries.

Besides, the sources said, the police were also directed to approach private companies, factories and industrial units where foreigners have been working without legal documents. The police have been ordered to gather data on foreigners and pick up all those who either fail to show their legal particulars for stay in Pakistan or those found involved in any illegal or criminal activity.

The sources claimed that this exercise would tantamount to a sweep-operation against foreign nationals and a number of them could be deported, while several more could be booked under relevant sections of law for alleged involvement in criminal activities.