The Foreign Office Spokesperson responding to the statement of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on Monday that the repatriation of the illegal immigrants in Pakistan was complaint with international norms and principles.
“We have seen the press statement by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.The Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP) applies to all illegal foreigners residing in Pakistan, irrespective of their nationality and country of origin. The decision is in exercise of Pakistan’s sovereign domestic laws, and compliant with applicable international norms and principles,” said the spokesperson in a statement.
All foreign nationals legally residing in Pakistan were “beyond the purview” of this Plan, she said, adding the Government took its commitments towards protection and safety needs of those in vulnerable situations with utmost seriousness.
“Our record of the last forty years in hosting millions of our Afghan brothers and sisters speaks for itself,” she remarked.
The spokesperson said the international community must scale up collective efforts to address protracted refugee situations through advancing durable solutions as a matter of priority. “Pakistan will continue to work with our international partners to this end.”
Meanwhile, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti addressed a news conference here on Monday warning the locals of strict action if they were found involved in providing shelter to undocumented immigrants including Afghans.
The minister categorically said that any Pakistani national, who would rent his house to illegal immigrants would be considered as a partner in crime and treated with an iron hand.
They should inform the government about illegal immigrants, he said, adding that the deadline for all illegal immigrants to leave Pakistan was October 31, which would not be extended.
He said after the deadline all the illegal foreign nationals, including Afghan citizens would be transported to the nearest holding centers set up on the borders.
