Crackdown on Afghanistani Migrants Intensifies in Pakistan’s Punjab

DID Press: Authorities in Punjab province announced a sweeping crackdown on undocumented Afghanistani migrants, following new directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Under the order, criminal cases (FIRs) will be filed against anyone renting property to Afghanistani or other undocumented foreigners, with mosque announcements used to help identify violators.

According to The Nation, daily monitoring of properties rented to Afghanistani and other foreigners will now be conducted, alongside a comprehensive field survey to update data across all major cities. Five FIRs have already been registered in Khanewal District against landlords who rented to Afghanistani nationals.

Authorities have also introduced facial recognition technology to identify illegal residents, while 45 temporary detention centers have been set up to house, feed, and facilitate the deportation of Afghanistani migrants through the Torkham border crossing.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed that officials “must be held accountable for negligence,” but emphasized that “no innocent citizen should be targeted.”

Punjab government is also reviewing progress in its campaign against illegal weapons, as well as monitoring social media networks linked to extremist groups and religious seminaries as part of the broader security operation.