SWAT — Police in Swat have arrested 21 more Afghan nationals during an ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrants, bringing the total number of detentions in the district to 101, officials said.
Authorities said the latest detainees have been sent to jail as part of enforcement measures aimed at implementing government directives on undocumented foreign nationals.
According to local sources, nearly 3,000 Afghan nationals are currently residing in Swat, including both documented and undocumented individuals. Officials said several families have already returned to Afghanistan, while others remain in the district.
Police have registered 84 first information reports (FIRs) against the arrested individuals at different police stations across Swat. Investigations are also underway regarding allegations that some Afghan families obtained Pakistani identity documents and established businesses in sectors such as clothing, fruit and vegetable trade, and other commercial activities.
Authorities say the repatriation process is ongoing but progressing gradually, citing administrative and legal challenges. The crackdown is part of broader efforts to regulate residency status and enforce immigration laws in the region.
Today's E-Paper