Islamabad, The government has initiated a drive urging foreign nationals to voluntarily repatriate themselves until Wednesday. Following this period, the state will commence operations to expel any remaining illegal foreigners. Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti, in a recent interview, detailed the plan and provided updates on its progress.

According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Minister Bugti mentioned that in the past three days alone, over 20,000 illegal foreigners have left Pakistan voluntarily. The operation is a collective effort, with all provincial governments playing an active role. Committees at both divisional and district levels have been established to oversee the process. The expulsion is planned to be executed in phases, with individuals lacking travel documentation being targeted in the initial phase. Geo-mapping has been utilized to track the locations of illegal foreign nationals. The government has also established holding centers where these individuals will be temporarily housed, ensuring they have access to essential amenities. Responding to a query regarding the upcoming general elections, the Interior Minister emphasized the caretaker government’s role in aiding the Election Commission of Pakistan and expressed commitment to following any directives from the ECP.