Caretaker Punjab Information Minister, Amir Mir, held a press conference in Lahore on Friday, revealing that the provincial government has successfully detained a total of 99,000 illegal refugees who were residing within the province without proper documentation. These developments come ahead of the October 31 deadline set by the government for the identification and detention of such individuals.
During the press conference, Minister Amir Mir stated, “Before the October 31 deadline, 99,000 illegal refugees have been detained, out of which 33,000 have been found to not have any documents and were illegally staying in the province.”
The provincial government’s crackdown on illegal refugees has been met with a significant level of success, and the detained individuals are set to face the legal consequences of their actions. The government has constructed 36 “holding areas” in Punjab, where these foreigners will be temporarily housed while awaiting deportation.
Minister Amir Mir emphasized that the government is committed to ensuring that the legal process is followed in handling the detained refugees. The deportation process for these individuals is expected to commence shortly, in accordance with the law.
This significant effort by the Punjab provincial government to address the issue of illegal refugees has garnered both support and scrutiny, with ongoing discussions surrounding the need for comprehensive immigration policies and the protection of human rights. The government’s actions reflect their determination to enforce immigration laws and maintain the integrity of the province’s security and resources.