PESHAWAR: Peshawar Police have arrested hundreds of Afghan nationals residing illegally in various parts of the city amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Cases were registered against them under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. The detainees were produced before the courts. A large number of Afghan nationals were sent to jail on judicial remand, while those legally residing in the country and possessing valid documents were let go.
It is pertinent to mention that the crackdown against Afghan refugees has been intensified across the city due to the ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions. Over the past two days, hundreds of Afghan residents have been taken into custody and produced before courts.
As a result, an unusual rush was witnessed in the courts on Saturday and Sunday, with not only the detained Afghan nationals but also their relatives in attendance.On Sunday, hundreds of arrested Afghan nationals were produced before the court of Judicial Magistrate Muhammad Anwar Khan.
After hearing the cases, the court discharged those foreign nationals who were residing legally and had valid documents or court orders. However, Afghan nationals found to be living illegally were sent to jail on judicial remand.
Sources said that a large number of undocumented Afghan nationals were shifted to a deportation camp set up at Nasir Bagh and other designated locations due to overcrowding in prisons.
