National

Punjab authorities have stepped up action against Afghan nationals living in the province without valid documents. The Foreign National Security Cell of the Punjab Home Department is carrying out checks across the province. Officials are identifying Afghan nationals who are staying without acceptable visas. Those found to be residing illegally are being detained. They are then moved to designated holding centres before being repatriated to Afghanistan. A spokesperson for the Punjab Home Department said 2,689,295 Afghan nationals have so far been repatriated from Pakistan. The spokesperson said 140,468 undocumented Afghan nationals have been sent back from Punjab alone. Officials said the action is being carried out under the government’s existing policy. Under the policy, Afghan nationals without valid and acceptable visas are considered to be staying illegally in Pakistan. The crackdown is not limited to one area. Officials are conducting checks in residential neighbourhoods and commercial markets across Punjab. The authorities are also monitoring places where foreign nationals may be living or working. The purpose is to identify people who do not have the required legal documents. The department said detained Afghan nationals are transferred to holding centres. These facilities are being used to manage the repatriation process. There are currently 39 active holding centres across Punjab. According to the department, 188 Afghan nationals are currently staying in these centres. The provincial authorities have also directed action against people who rent properties to undocumented foreign nationals. Cases can be registered against property owners found violating the relevant rules. Officials said the enforcement drive will continue across the province. Authorities are maintaining checks in different areas as part of efforts to enforce immigration regulations.

Customs officials at Jinnah International Airport in Karachi have seized a large quantity of electronic goods from a passenger arriving from Dubai. According to customs sources, the passenger was intercepted during a routine check at the airport. Officials recovered 29 cameras from the passenger. The seized items also included five camera lenses. The consignment contained 19 digital cameras. Customs officials also found 10 fitness bands among the electronic goods. Other electronic items were also recovered during the inspection. The total value of the seized goods has been estimated at around Rs5.5 million. Customs officials are examining the recovered items as part of the ongoing investigation. The authorities are also checking the passenger’s travel and import details. The action was carried out at Jinnah International Airport, one of the country’s busiest entry points for international passengers. Officials regularly conduct inspections of incoming passengers to prevent the illegal movement of commercial goods and other undeclared items. The latest seizure highlights the continued monitoring of international arrivals at Karachi airport. Customs authorities are taking action when passengers are found carrying goods that require declaration or clearance under applicable rules.

The All Pakistan Goods Transporters Alliance has announced an indefinite nationwide strike after talks with the federal and Sindh governments failed to resolve their demands. Alliance President Malik Shehzad Awan made the announcement at a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, saying transporters would keep their vehicles off the roads from August 8 until the government formally accepted their demands through official notifications. Awan said a meeting held on Friday included senior officials from both the federal and Sindh governments, including the communications minister, communications secretary, National Highway Authority chairman, inspector general of motorways, Karachi commissioner, transport secretary, excise secretary and senior traffic officials. However, the talks failed to produce an agreement. He said the alliance would observe a peaceful wheel-jam strike by parking trucks and trailers instead of blocking roads. However, he warned that transporters could move their vehicles onto roads if authorities tried to intimidate or arrest their leaders during the protest. According to Awan, vehicles carrying import and export containers will continue operating until August 10 to allow cargo already in transit to reach its destinations. The transporters have also formed a committee to negotiate with the government. Awan warned that if their demands were not accepted within two days, the protesters would march towards the governor houses in all provinces. He said the committee would not negotiate with officials who had previously made commitments to transporters but failed to fulfil them. Awan also called for the resignation of the federal petroleum minister, Punjab’s transport and mass transit minister and the Punjab senior minister. Highlighting the financial pressure on the transport sector, he claimed that a single trailer pays around Rs2.4 million in annual toll taxes while transporters also face e-challans, adding to their difficulties. He warned that the ongoing dispute could negatively affect the national economy and urged the government to take immediate steps to resolve the crisis. Other transport leaders, including Malik Sher Khan, Ghulam Yasin and Nadeem Akhtar Arain, also attended the press conference. Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Petrol Pumps Owners Association urged the Ministry of Petroleum to review the mechanism used to determine fuel prices. In a letter sent to the petroleum minister on August 7, the association’s vice chairman expressed concern over delays in implementing agreements reached between the government and petrol pump owners.