Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has ordered strict action against those renting properties to illegal foreigners in Punjab, including Afghans living without legal documents. She directed police to register FIRs and ensure no property, house, shop, or hotel is leased to any illegal resident. The chief minister chaired a meeting on law and order where she emphasized immediate enforcement of these directives.
During the meeting, the CM instructed authorities to make public announcements through mosques, urging citizens to help identify Afghans living unlawfully. She also ordered patwaris, lumberdars, and SHOs to prepare detailed reports of rented properties across all districts. The provincial government will conduct a full field survey to collect updated data on illegal foreigners.
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Officials were told to take legal action against Afghans and other foreign nationals working in Pakistan without authorization. The government has already registered five FIRs in Khanewal against property owners who rented spaces to illegal Afghan residents. The CM also demanded a report on suspicious and ‘benami’ properties used by such individuals.
The meeting was informed that facial recognition technology is being used to trace and verify illegal residents. Authorities have established 45 holding centers to provide accommodation, food, and transport for Afghan nationals being repatriated to Torkham. Meanwhile, a province-wide crackdown on illegal weapons and extremist content on social media is also in progress.
READ MORE:Afghans, Foreigners barred from renting property in Punjab
Maryam Nawaz warned that no innocent person should be targeted during the crackdown on illegal foreigners in Punjab. She also reviewed development work in Raiwind ahead of the annual Tablighi Ijtima, noting that 13 road projects were completed to improve accessibility and public convenience.