Punjab Offers Cash Rewards for Reporting Undocumented Migrants, Mostly Afghans
Punjab’s provincial government in Pakistan has announced a cash reward for individuals who report undocumented migrants, particularly Afghans, to security authorities. The announcement was made by Punjab’s Information Minister Azma Bokhari, who stated that the campaign to arrest and deport migrants without legal documentation is ongoing in the province.
Bokhari confirmed that citizens providing credible information about illegal migrants will be financially rewarded by local authorities. This step is part of a broader initiative by the Pakistani government aimed at removing undocumented asylum seekers from the country.
According to official data, more than 6,000 Afghan nationals have been deported from Punjab to Afghanistan over the past three weeks. The deportations continue despite Afghanistan’s fragile security and economic situation, especially following the Taliban’s return to power, which has made forced returns increasingly dangerous for many migrants.
Local media outlet Geo News highlighted that this latest deportation campaign echoes earlier waves of mass deportations of Afghan refugees, notably between 2002 and 2005 and again in 2016. During the 2016 implementation of Pakistan’s National Action Plan, hundreds of thousands were forced to return to their country in just one year.
Currently, Pakistani authorities are continuing efforts to identify undocumented migrants across various provinces. Reports indicate that police in Islamabad have warned homeowners to expel undocumented individuals from their residences.
Afghan migrants say they are facing significant challenges in renewing their visas, with the Pakistani government refusing to extend their residence documents. These increasing pressures come amid rising tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan, sparking growing human rights concerns.
