In a stern move, the Punjab government has begun registering FIRs against landlords who allow their property to be used by Afghan nationals and other undocumented foreign residents. The crackdown aims to tackle illegal residency and ensure landlords follow registration rules when renting to non-nationals.
The key message: renting property to an Afghan without proper documentation is now a legal risk. The provincial law-and-order meeting, led by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, instructed authorities to begin filing criminal cases as soon as any property is found leased to foreigners living in the province without valid permits.
Under the new order, all houses, shops, factories, hotels, or petrol pumps rented to foreigners must be reported. Patwaris, numberdars, and station house officers (SHOs) are now tasked with submitting daily reports and monitoring suspicious rentals. This means landlords should check tenants’ legal status and ensure proper paperwork is filed.
The province has already taken action: officials said at least five cases in Khanewal were registered against people who rented properties to Afghan nationals without following rules. Alongside this, 45 holding centres have been set up across Punjab to house undocumented Afghans temporarily as part of enforcement efforts.
This move comes amid broader operations targeting undocumented Afghans in Pakistan. For example, recent reports indicate the detention of 17 Afghan nationals by Islamabad police in earlier operations. The property crackdown adds a new dimension, targeting not just tenants but also those who facilitate undocumented residency by offering property.
For landlords in Punjab, this means extra due diligence is now essential. Before renting a property to a foreign national, especially Afghans, they must verify the tenant’s legal status and make sure registration is done with the police. The government’s signalling is clear: facilitation of illegal residency will not be overlooked.
Landlords should also keep records and report any irregularities. Failure to do so could lead to FIRs, legal penalties, or property seizures. As the province steps up enforcement, the risk of non-compliance is rising sharply.
