FIRs Ordered Against Property Owners
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered strict legal action against individuals or businesses providing property or rental spaces to Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.
Chairing a high-level meeting on law and order in Lahore, she instructed the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) across the province against anyone renting houses, shops, factories, hotels, or petrol stations to undocumented Afghan residents.
Officials have also been directed to submit daily reports detailing property rentals and ownership transfers, ensuring greater oversight of commercial and residential leases.
Religious Announcements and Local Monitoring
To help identify undocumented foreigners, the provincial government has instructed that announcements be made in mosques across Punjab. Local administrative officers — including patwaris (land record officers), nambardars (village heads), and station house officers (SHOs) — will be held accountable for reporting any cases where properties have been rented or sold to foreigners without legal status.
The meeting also decided to launch a comprehensive field survey in all districts to identify and document illegal foreign residents.
Action Against Workers on Visit Visas
Maryam Nawaz emphasized that foreigners working in Pakistan on visit visas, or those who entered the country without legal documentation, would face prosecution. No one is above the law. The rule of law will be implemented without discrimination, she reportedly said during the meeting.
This marks one of the most coordinated provincial campaigns to regulate undocumented migrants, aligning with the federal government’s ongoing repatriation plan.
Ongoing Operations and Holding Centers
According to a briefing presented during the meeting, five criminal cases have already been registered in Khanewal district against individuals who rented out property to Afghan nationals living illegally.
Authorities also revealed that 45 holding centers have been established across Punjab. These centers provide temporary accommodation, food, and transportation for undocumented Afghan citizens being repatriated to Afghanistan via the Torkham border.
Use of Technology to Track Illegal Residents
To enhance the efficiency of the operation, Punjab police and local administration are now using facial recognition systems to identify Afghan nationals lacking valid documentation. The use of modern technology, officials said, will help ensure transparency and reduce the chances of mistaken identity.
Broader Context
Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees since the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979. However, following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Islamabad has faced mounting challenges in managing undocumented Afghan migrants.
According to official estimates, over 1.7 million Afghans currently live in Pakistan without valid documents. The federal government began a repatriation campaign in late 2023, citing national security and economic pressures.
Punjab, the country’s most populous province, has now intensified its enforcement measures, reflecting a broader national effort to regulate undocumented migration while balancing humanitarian concerns.
