Islamabad, Feb 12 (NationPress) The police force in Pakistan has ramped up its enforcement actions against undocumented immigrants, resulting in the detention of 5,439 illegal Afghan nationals at a holding facility in Rawalpindi, as reported by local media on Thursday.

Additionally, 19 individuals have gone missing from this centre since the expiration of the government's voluntary departure deadline on March 31 last year. The police have intensified operations in the federal capital region, specifically targeting illegal Afghan citizens, as highlighted by Pakistan's prominent daily, Dawn.

Law enforcement has been instructed to concentrate on the daily apprehension of illegal Afghans, along with illegal tenants, hotel inspections, and travel checks. Police officials have been cautioned that non-compliance in documenting arrests will result in strict departmental repercussions.

A crackdown on violations of the Tenancy Act has also been initiated in Rawalpindi, leading to the detention of 38 individuals, according to police representatives. These actions were carried out in various areas, including Chontra, Chakri, Kahuta, Naseerabad, Chaklala, Jatli, Sadar Baruni, and Kallar Syedan.

This enforcement effort aims to uphold the Tenancy Act, with daily search operations mandated by CPO Syed Khalid Mahmood Hamdani, as reported by Dawn. Residents are urged to register tenants to ensure law and order, including providing details about tenants and employees at the nearest police station.

Recently, the Taliban administration in Kabul has voiced concerns regarding the increasing challenges faced by Afghan refugees in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for the Pakistani government to respect the rights of refugees and cease the arrests and harassment of Afghan migrants.

According to Pajhwok Afghan News, Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat remarked, "The challenges confronting Afghan refugees in Pakistan are intensifying, with a rise in arrests, harassment, and mistreatment by Pakistani officials, placing refugees in dire situations."

Fitrat has called upon the United Nations and other relevant organizations to uphold refugee protection standards and intervene in nations where refugee rights are compromised. He stressed that Afghan refugees returning to Afghanistan need economic support and cooperation.

Fitrat further emphasized that the Pakistani government should be compelled to respect refugee rights, adhere to international refugee standards, and cease the arrests and harassment of Afghan refugees, as reported by Pajhwok Afghan News.

This past year, Pakistan has repatriated thousands of Afghan migrants as part of a nationwide crackdown, impacting journalists and human rights activists among others.