{"id":33006,"date":"2023-12-08T14:17:16","date_gmt":"2023-12-08T14:17:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/foreigners-cannot-take-part-in-political-activities-bugti\/"},"modified":"2023-12-08T14:17:16","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T14:17:16","slug":"foreigners-cannot-take-part-in-political-activities-bugti","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/foreigners-cannot-take-part-in-political-activities-bugti\/","title":{"rendered":"Foreigners cannot take part in political activities: Bugti"},"content":{"rendered":"
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ISLAMABAD: As repatriation of illegal immigrants continues from Pakistan, Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Ahmad Bugti on Friday said that foreigners are barred from participating in political activities in light of upcoming general elections 2024, ARY News reported.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Addressing a press conference, the caretaker minister warned that foreigners, including Afghans living legally in Pakistan, will face deportation if found involved in political activities.<\/p>\n

Sarfraz Bugti said that it is the government\u2019s policy that the Afghans living legally in Pakistan or have the refugee status cannot participate in political activities. \u201cThey have nothing to do with Pakistani politics,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The minister noted that ten such persons found involved in political activities have been identified and they are being deported. He stressed that it is only the prerogative of Pakistani people to do politics in the country.<\/p>\n

Speaking of security in upcoming polls, Bugti said it will be government\u2019s utmost effort to provide maximum security for the peaceful conduct of the general elections.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will provide the paramilitary force keeping in view the request of ECP [Election Commission of Pakistan],\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Responding to a question, the Interior Minister said the repatriation plan is not country specific. He said illegal foreigners including Afghans are being deported, adding that everybody with valid passport and visa is welcomed to Pakistan.<\/p>\n

To another question, the Interior Minister said identity theft is a big crime and those involved in it will be brought to justice. He said reforms have been initiated in NADRA to deal with such issues.<\/p>\n

The announcement came as the caretaker government initiated a nationwide campaign to expel millions of illegal foreigners, mostly Afghan citizens, living in the country.<\/p>\n

A day earlier, COAS General Syed Asim Munir backed the government\u2019s decision to forcefully repatriate undocumented immigrants<\/a>, terming the presence of \u2018illegal foreign nationals\u2019 in the country \u201ca security and economic threat\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cIllegal foreigners are seriously affecting Pakistan\u2019s security and economy. The decision to repatriate them has been taken by the government in the interest of Pakistan,\u201d said General Munir during his visit to the provincial capital.<\/p>\n

The army chief said the illegal foreign nationals were being repatriated in a \u201chumane and dignified manner as per the established norms\u201d, read a statement issued by the military\u2019s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n