Mian Zahid Hussain, President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF) & All Karachi Industrial Alliance (AKIA), Chairman National Business Group Pakistan (NBG), Chairman FPCCI Policy Advisory Board and Former Provincial Minister of Information Technology, has strongly condemned the attack on Rangers in Karachi claiming three precious lives and said that the government’s decision to arrest Afghan nationals living in Pakistan without valid visas from July 10 is a necessary step for national security, rule of law, economic stability and restoration of the writ of the state. He said that Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan brothers and sisters for more than four decades with generosity, sacrifice and patience. However, no country in the world can allow foreign nationals to live, work or do business indefinitely without visas, legal status, registration and accountability.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan is moving from economic stability toward sustainable growth, while in the current regional situation, the role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir in strengthening national security, counter-terrorism and border stability has become extremely important. He said that coordination between the civil and military leadership is strengthening law and order, investor confidence and economic activity in the country. He further said that Afghan nationals with valid documents, legal workers, students, businessmen and registered refugees should not be harassed. However, those who do not possess legal documents, valid visas or registration must be dealt with under Pakistani law without discrimination. He said that Pakistan’s current policy is fair, transparent and fully aligned with the national interest.
Mian Zahid Hussain strongly condemned the recent attack attributed to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar on Sindh Rangers in Karachi, saying that the martyrdom of three Rangers personnel and injuries to others are a matter of deep concern for the entire nation. He said that this tragedy is a clear indication that terrorism, illegal networks, undocumented movement and weak border controls continue to pose serious threats to Pakistan’s internal security and economic stability. He said that Karachi is the economic capital of Pakistan, where even a minor deterioration in law and order directly affects business confidence, investment, trade, ports, industry and national revenue. Therefore, the complete protection of Karachi, major cities and the entire country is essential for internal security and the national economy.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that foreign nationals living illegally increase pressure on jobs, housing, health, education, policing and urban infrastructure. In many cases, undocumented activities also promote informal businesses, tax evasion, smuggling, illegal currency movement and other unlawful practices. He said that every foreign national living, working or doing business in Pakistan must be brought under a legal and documented framework. He urged the federal and provincial governments, NADRA, FIA, police, intelligence agencies and border authorities to work under one coordinated system. He said that biometric verification, visa tracking, rental monitoring, business registration checks and intelligence-based operations should be made effective immediately to eliminate illegal residence, illegal businesses and suspicious activities.
Mian Zahid Hussain said that the repatriation process of Afghan nationals living illegally should be carried out on legal and humanitarian grounds, especially in the case of women, children, elderly persons, registered refugees and those possessing valid legal documents. However, those who have no valid legal document or legal basis to remain in Pakistan should be repatriated without further delay. He said that Pakistan’s hospitality should not be mistaken for weakness. Friendship, brotherhood and humanitarian sympathy are important, but Pakistan’s sovereignty, security, economy and law are supreme. He said that the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the effective role of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir can help strengthen internal stability, business confidence and a secure environment for investment. Mian Zahid Hussain assured that the business community of Pakistan stands shoulder to shoulder with the government and security institutions.
