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Punjab Government Offers Cash Rewards for Information on Illegal Foreign Nationals
Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari announces a cash reward for those providing information on illegally staying Afghans and foreign nationals. Over 6,000 Afghan nationals deported in the past three weeks.
MH
by Muhammad Hashir
2025-11-19
Punjab Government Offers Cash Rewards for Information on Illegal Foreign Nationals

particularly Afghan refugees, the Punjab government has announced a cash reward for individuals who provide information leading to their identification and deportation.

In a statement released earlier today, Punjab Information Minister Uzma Bukhari revealed that the provincial government is intensifying its operation against Afghan nationals and other foreign citizens residing illegally in the province. The minister called for public assistance in identifying those violating immigration laws, assuring that whistleblowers would be financially rewarded for their efforts.

Bukhari further emphasized the progress made in the ongoing operation, stating that 6,220 Afghan nationals had been sent back to Afghanistan in just the last three weeks. This comes as part of the provincial government's broader efforts to manage foreign migration and ensure that illegal immigrants are repatriated according to the law.

The repatriation of Afghan refugees is not a new issue for Pakistan. The first major return program took place between 2002 and 2005, following the fall of the Taliban regime and the launch of a voluntary return program by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). During that period, approximately 3 million Afghan refugees were sent back to Afghanistan, marking one of the largest refugee repatriation efforts in history.

In 2016, Pakistan again launched a large-scale repatriation initiative under the National Action Plan, which saw 370,000 Afghan refugees returning to their homeland, while 800,000 Afghan nationals were issued Afghan citizen cards. This effort was part of a concerted drive to manage the long-standing refugee population in Pakistan, most of whom had fled the conflict in Afghanistan over the past few decades.

The announcement of cash rewards for information is expected to further accelerate the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants, particularly in light of growing concerns around national security and demographic management.

Minister Uzma Bukhari urged the public to support the government's efforts, stressing that this is a critical part of maintaining the security and stability of the region. She also highlighted the government's commitment to ensuring that only legally authorized individuals remain in the province and that those violating immigration laws are promptly dealt with.

The Punjab government’s action is in line with the federal government’s broader stance on managing Afghan refugees and controlling illegal immigration. With the number of illegal foreign nationals still high, authorities are focused on enforcement measures to ensure compliance with immigration policies.
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