LAHORE: In an ongoing government campaign targeting the repatriation of illegally residing migrants, Punjab’s deportation efforts have continued unabated, with 1,336 individuals deported with the assistance of relevant institutions.

A spokesperson for the Punjab Police reported that over the past 24 hours, more than 2,772 foreign nationals residing illegally have been relocated to holding centers. Currently, 2,810 individuals are housed in these facilities.

To facilitate the repatriation process, a network of 46 holding centers has been set up across the province. The Inspector General of Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, emphasized the government’s commitment to sending back all illegally residing migrants, ensuring heightened security throughout the process.

The coordination with relevant institutions ensures the systematic transfer of migrants from Punjab to designated points outside its jurisdiction. Local district administrations oversee the logistics, including transportation and food arrangements.

Dr. Anwar has instructed senior police officials, including the CCPO Lahore and various regional police officers, to expedite the repatriation process. The identification of illegal residents is conducted using intelligence from the Special Branch, CTD, and other security agencies.

IG Punjab stressed the importance of adhering to human rights standards during these operations and urged police officers to maintain close collaboration with district administrations and other relevant bodies throughout the repatriation process.