ISLAMABAD: In a concerted effort to strengthen state authority and address rising security concerns, Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies have launched coordinated crackdowns in several key districts, including Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, and Chakwal.
These operations primarily aim to enforce the government’s authority and target illegal Afghan nationals residing in the country without proper documentation. Joint search and combing operations have taken place in various locations.
In Islamabad, security forces concentrated their efforts around Bari Imam Chowk, Third Avenue, and nearby informal settlements. In Rawalpindi, operations targeted the Military Colony and Khayaban-e-Sir Syed areas.
Meanwhile, in Murree, search operations were conducted in Kotli Sattian Bazar, Malot, Kaldana, the General Bus Stand, and surrounding regions. In Jhelum, combing operations focused on Chittan, Rohtas Road, Model Bazaar, and Jhelum City. Similarly, Chakwal witnessed targeted operations in Chakwal City, Saddar Chakwal, Dhodyal, Neela, Kallar Kahar, and Wahnar.
A total of 392 law enforcement officers, including police, elite forces, Rangers, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel, intelligence agencies, and Dolphin Force members, participated in these operations. As a result, 14 illegal Afghan nationals were arrested, and numerous suspicious individuals were detained for further investigation and legal action.
The government has made it clear that only those residing in Pakistan legally will be permitted to stay. Authorities have emphasized that these operations are part of a broader strategy to uphold the rule of law and will continue nationwide, focusing particularly on illegal Afghan nationals.
In terms of area-specific results, operations in Islamabad involved checking 197 homes, 342 individuals, 51 vehicles, and 70 motorcycles. During this operation, 15 suspected individuals were arrested, and 10 undocumented motorcycles were seized.
In Rawalpindi, 57 homes, 118 shops, 282 individuals, 2 hotels, and 43 motorcycles were inspected. Murree’s operations included checking 32 homes, 29 shops, 260 individuals, 55 hotels, and 56 vehicles, resulting in the arrest of four illegal Afghan nationals.
In Jhelum, a total of 171 homes and 379 individuals were checked, leading to the arrest of eight illegal Afghan nationals. Four cases were registered, including arrests for narcotics trafficking and violations of rental laws. In Chakwal, 96 homes and 203 individuals were inspected, resulting in the arrest of two illegal Afghan nationals and a case registered under the Foreigners Act.
The message from the state remains clear: the crackdown on illegal Afghan nationals will continue, with the government committed to upholding the rule of law in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Murree, Jhelum, and Chakwal.
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