Jan Achakzai dispels impression of forced expulsion of Afghan refugees from Pakistan

Independent Report

QUETTA: The caretaker Provincial Minister for Information, Jan Achakzai has categorically dispelled the impression about forced expulsion of Afghan refugees and made it clear that only the illegal immigrants are being repatriated to their countries and that in an honourable manner.
While addressing press conference along with the Commissioner Quetta, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat here at the Quetta Press Club on Friday afternoon, the Minister Information said that the statement of Afghan Defence Minister is sorrowful that Pakistan is expelling the Afghan refugees forcefully. He made it clear that only those illegal immigrants are being repatriated, who belong to any country.
He said that it is right of Pakistan to expel the illegal immigrants, and adding he mentioned that it is sort of kindness that they (illegal immigrants) are being deported only. Otherwise illegal immigrants are punished and jailed in other countries, he added.
However, Pakistan is a hospitable country that hosted immigrants for 40 years, and now it is right of the country to send them back to their country, he asserted.
Jan Achakzai also said that the efforts have been expedited for expulsion of the illegal immigrants on directives of the Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar and Army Chief, Syed Asim Munir.
He said that the bogus Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC) and other documents would be blocked and duly cancelled in the province.
In this regard, NADRA has started operation all over the province, Jan Achakzai added.
He said that around 100,000 CNICs have been blocked so far in the province while only some 40,000 CNICs have been blocked in Quetta.
The Minister said that action would also be taken against those facilitated the preparation of bogus CNICs in the province.
Moreover, those who obtained bogus CNICs after inclusion in other families have also been identified, and due action would be taken against them, he maintained.
Regarding repatriation of the immigrants, Jan Achakzai informed that around 50,000 immigrants have so far left the country on voluntarily.
The Minister Information on the occasion also referred to the Health Card Programme and told that it has been launched in the province from Friday.
He said that over 2.3 million families would benefit from the Health Card family in the province. They would get medical treatment facilities in over 1200 hospitals of the country, he informed.