45 Afghan nationals arrested in Peshawar during verification operation

Security authorities have detained 45 Afghan nationals including women and children during a verification operation in different parts of Peshawar officials said.

PESHAWAR: Security authorities have detained 45 Afghan nationals including women and children during a verification operation in different parts of Peshawar officials said.

The arrests were made as authorities continued action against foreign nationals who are allegedly staying in Pakistan without valid legal documentation.

According to officials teams carried out searches and verification checks in several localities of the city. The individuals taken into custody were reportedly unable to provide documents establishing their legal status in Pakistan.

Cases registered under Foreigners Act

A senior security official told Minute Mirror that 45 Afghan nationals were detained during the operation and that cases had been registered under the relevant provisions of the Foreigners Act.

Officials said those detained included men, women and children. According to the authorities the individuals could not produce valid passports visas or Proof of Registration (PoR) cards when asked to establish their legal status.

The detainees were subsequently shifted to the relevant police stations where legal proceedings are being carried out.

Police sources said the cases have been registered under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act.

Children among those detained

Officials confirmed that children are among those taken into custody. They said the children are being kept with their families while the authorities complete the required legal process.

The authorities have maintained that the current action is directed at foreign nationals who do not possess valid documentation while people holding valid visas or other lawful documents are not the target of the operation.

More verification drives expected

The Peshawar operation is being conducted amid a wider government campaign targeting undocumented foreign residents across the country.

An official said the verification process would continue and urged foreign nationals without valid documentation to leave voluntarily rather than face legal action.

The arrested individuals are expected to be presented before the relevant court. Officials said that after completion of the legal formalities those found liable for repatriation may be transferred to designated holding facilities.

Further verification and search operations are also expected in other parts of Peshawar and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Authorities have reiterated that the legal status of each individual will be dealt with according to the applicable law.