UK to facilitate return of Pakistanis residing illegally

[Naveed Yaseen]

LONDON (August 27 2009): Pakistan and the United Kingdom on Wednesday agreed to facilitate the thousands of Pakistanis detained or living illegally, by issuing them emergency travel documents to enable them return home. The decision came at a meeting between Interior Minister Rehman Malik and British Home Secretary Allan Johnson, prior to the start of President Asif Ali Zardari's visit, who will be seeking greater wide-ranging co-operation between the two countries in all spheres.

Talking to media following his meeting, Malik said thousands of Pakistanis would benefit from the understanding reached between the two countries. "Those people who do not have a valid reason to stay in the UK need to return," Allan Johnson said while pointing to the illegal asylum seekers that have been detained in British jails. He said the two countries were close friends and allies and would continue to have wide ranging interaction for the benefit of their people.

Rehman Malik said the people will be issued emergency passports by the Pakistani High Commission free of cost and the United Kingdom will facilitate them in all respect so they can return home. "Let me be very clear and inform the Pakistanis that they must not think that they can get a permanent status if they stay here illegally for ten years or more," he added.

He said in the meeting with Allan Johnson, the two discussed matters related to counter terrorism, security and other areas. Malik termed the agreement on a road map for return of the illegal immigrants as an important achievement and said it would lessen the suffering of the detainees and their families.

He said the President during his visit will also seek support of the British government towards the forthcoming meeting of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan in New York on September 23. He said the world now knows that Pakistan is in fact a victim of terrorism and needs the sympathy and support of the world to counter it effectively.