More work needed
The government has been investigating foreigners living inside the country, some as legal citizens in possession of national ID cards, for quite a while now. And it has promised action on more than one occasion. Still, NADRA’s decision to suddenly declare 100,000 ‘suspect’ Afghans aliens from now on raises more questions than it answers. It is a very large number and, reportedly, almost all of them were residents of KP and Balochistan.
According to the press, these comprise two major categories. One is a large number of Afghans who crossed over in the chaos of the post 9/11 environment. A lot of them engaged in subsequent anti-state activities, and many of the present TTP commanders are their protégés. The complexities of the Durand line, and the government’s inability to enforce a strict border regime, allowed many of these militants to cross over will into the war on terror. That, among other reasons, is why they have taken so long to be identified. But the other, apparently, have been living in the country for generations. They were welcomed, once upon a time, and granted citizenship. Over generations they intermarried and engaged in commerce, mostly productive. Suddenly uprooting them would leave a large community hostage to events beyond their control.
Others, seemingly, claim no ‘suspect’ background and have been provided with no reasons for being stripped of their citizenship. Apparently there are instances where people have proof of their documents’ legality, yet their pleas are not entertained by authorities. It would seem, therefore, that there is a need to investigate this matter a little further. The rush of present circumstances, where it is understandably essential to rid the country of all ‘suspect’ presence, must not make us overstep. Hopefully there will be further scrutiny and genuine cases will be granted proper hearings.
