The government’s crackdown against illegal activities in the country, which started last month against pilferers and smugglers, would continue with ‘full force’, the army chief said on Friday.

“LEAs and other Government departments will continue the enforcement actions against spectrum of illegal activities with full force to deny pilferage of resources and economic losses that the country suffers due to these activities,” Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir was quoted as saying in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

COAS Munir was addressing the Sindh apex committee meeting, according to the military’s media wing. He was in Karachi on Friday to attend the huddle that met with the eviction of illegal immigrants on the agenda. The meeting was presided over by Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar.

Last month, the interim government started cracking down on hoarders, electricity thieves, smugglers, and hoarders to improve the economy. The action was taken after protests against exorbitant bills and the rupee depreciation in the money market.

At the apex committee meeting, officials briefed the COAS on the revised National Action Plan, operation in riverine areas – locally known as Kacha– of Sindh, security of foreign nationals employed on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)/Non-CPEC/private projects, repatriation of illegal foreigners, foreign currency regularisation measures, Karachi transformation plan, progress on Special Investment Facilitation Council initiatives in Sindh and Green Sindh initiatives.

The army chief underscored the need for synergy among all relevant departments for the gainful effects of the landmark initiatives. “The participants affirmed that state institutions, government departments, and people are united for the progress and prosperity of the province,” said the statement.

Earlier, upon arrival, the COAS was received by the commander Karachi Corps.

Pakistan has set a November 1 deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country. The order would also apply to 1.73 million illegal Afghan refugees.

But Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have described such an order as “unacceptable”. On Thursday, at least 16 trucks, having 30 Afghan families aboard, arrived at the Torkham border in the Khyber district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sources told Aaj News that the Sindh IGP would brief the huddle on the security situation, crackdown against illegal smugglers, National Action Plan, and operation in riverine areas. They added that officials would present a report on the deportation of illegal Afghan refugees in Pakistan and their apparent involvement in the crime.

The caretaker foreign minister has defended the order, saying that no other country allowed illegal immigrants and the decision was in line with international practice.