The Provincial Apex Committee of Pakistan, led by CM Syed Murad Ali of Sindh province, has commenced a concerted effort to tackle the presence of illegal foreigners in educational institutions, particularly madrassas. This decision follows revelations regarding a madrassa teacher’s involvement in an attack on the Karachi Police Office. The committee, comprised of senior civil and military officials, aims to conduct a collaborative mapping exercise to gather data on illegal residents for repatriation.
During the 31st Apex Committee meeting at CM House, it was disclosed that illegal foreigners were discovered enrolled in various educational institutions, including madrassas. The urgency of this matter was underscored by reports of a madrassa teacher’s involvement in the attack on the Karachi Police Office on February 17, 2023. The joint mapping exercise, to be carried out by Sindh police (Special Branch) and relevant federal government agencies, seeks to compile credible data for the eventual repatriation of illegal foreign residents, particularly in Karachi.
Home Minister Ziual Hassan Lanjar and Home Secretary Iqbal Memon reported substantial progress in repatriation efforts. A total of 42,109 illegal foreigners had voluntarily returned, while 81,106 possessed Proof of Residence (PoR) and 65,936 held other forms of identification cards. Furthermore, discussions in the meeting encompassed measures to combat various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, in alignment with President Asif Zardari’s directives to uphold law and order.
The meeting concluded with plans to establish a fusion center to bolster coordination among law enforcement agencies and execute well-coordinated operations against narcotics. These initiatives demonstrate the government’s dedication to addressing national security concerns and safeguarding the welfare of its citizens.
