ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has decided to deport 284 foreign nationals allegedly involved in online fraud incidents.
According to media reports, the Ministry of Interior has cancelled the visas of all 284 detained foreigners and issued them one-time exit permits valid for 15 days to leave the country.
The foreigners were arrested from a private housing society in Islamabad. Most of those detained are citizens of Vietnam, Indonesia and China, while many had entered Pakistan on tourist or visit visas.
The 284 foreigners are expected to leave Pakistan within the 15-day period. Sources said that after their deportation, their names will be placed on the blacklist and the Foreigners Control List. They will also reportedly be barred from obtaining Pakistani visas in the future.
The development comes as Pakistani authorities have stepped up scrutiny of foreign nationals suspected of misusing visit and tourist visas for unlawful activities, including cyber and online fraud.
The authorities are also reviewing the immigration status of such individuals as part of efforts to prevent Pakistan from being used as a base for organized fradulant networks.
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