Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi announced on Thursday that 27 Pakistani citizens detained in Uganda during a crackdown on illegal migration are scheduled to return to Pakistan today. The announcement was made during a weekly press briefing in Islamabad.
Details of the Crackdown
Ugandan authorities have detained at least 231 people since Monday in operations targeting a group of Nigerians in the country's north and another group of foreigners living together in a closed compound in Kampala. The second group included individuals from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Ghana, Myanmar, and other countries, all residing in a highly restricted apartment complex. Uganda's internal affairs ministry stated that the operation was based on intelligence indicating large groups of foreigners living or working without proper documentation. Many lacked passports.
Pakistanis Among Detainees
Andrabi confirmed that 27 Pakistanis are set to fly out of Uganda today. He added that around 30 others are willing to arrange their own tickets soon. Without disclosing the total number of Pakistanis arrested, Andrabi noted that the rest will also leave Uganda as they hold visit visas. Immigration authorities have imposed a financial penalty on the Pakistani nationals, but the embassy is negotiating with Ugandan authorities to waive it.
Allegations of Trafficking and Cyber-Scamming
Uganda reported that some detainees claimed they were trafficked with promises of employment, while others were involved in cyber-scamming activities. The ministry found materials suggesting involvement in other criminal activities among a few detainees. Simon Peter Mundeyi, a spokesman for Uganda's Ministry of Internal Affairs, told the Associated Press that trafficking victims and overstayers will be helped to leave after buying their own tickets. Suspected ringleaders of trafficking will be charged and may face deportation.
