In the wake of frequent terrorist acts in Peshawar and its surrounding areas, law enforcing agencies initiated a crackdown against Afghan nationals residing illegally in the region.
According to officials, so far 70 Afghan nationals including four clerics have been arrested since Wednesday. The crackdown against Afghan nationals is underway at scattered areas throughout Peshawar.
However, a large number of people have been netted out from Faqirabad, Afghan Colony, Hayatabad and Dalazak Road.
The crackdown, according to officials, started soon after a meeting between Peshawar based Afghanistan Consul General Syed Mohammad Ismaelkhel and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Information Minister Shaukat Ali Yousafzai.
Ismaelkhel on Wednesday called on Yousafzai and diverted his attentions towards miseries of Afghan nationals. The consul general had informed the provincial minister that Afghan nationals were being harassed and terrorised by policemen and personnel of other law enforcing agencies. In this respect, Yousafzai had assured the Afghan diplomat of looking into the matter.
Police officials said cases under the Foreign Act have been registered against all Afghan nationals and they could be deported to their country.
According to officials, the crackdown against Afghan nationals was started keeping in view frequent acts of violence, especially target killing in the area. Officials believe Afghan nationals are involved in terrorist acts and therefore, all arrested Afghans are being interrogated before they are produced before a court of law for deportation.
On the other hand, due to limited resources and infrastructure, Afghan nationals are showing severe resentment over the slow process of deportation. The court orders deportation within seven days but most of them are imprisoned in jails for months. Political administration of Khyber Agency is also helping in the process.
Meanwhile, after frequent attacks against policemen and the recent bomb attack against a judge of Sindh High Court in Karachi, Peshawar Police tightened security measures all over the city. In this respect, extra ordinary check points popped up on different roads, particularly those connecting Peshawar with the tribal belt and congested commercial areas.
Afghan nationals being hunted for deportation
