KARACHI: PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has questioned the “strong-arm” tactics used to repatriate illegal Afghan immigrants and called for “distinguishing between terrorists and people”.

Talking to reporters in Karachi, the PPP chairman said robust measures needed against the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) shouldn’t be used against the civilians.

“A distinction must be made between people and terrorists while devising any policy,” Mr Bhutto-Zardari added. “If you go against people, you will never achieve your target.”

In reply to a question, the former foreign minister said there was a “lack of clarity” in the caretaker government’s policy about the repatriation of illegal Afghan immigrants.’

The government had initially warned Afghan immigrants residing illegally in Pakistan to voluntarily leave by Oct 31. Now, the authorities have decided to expand the action and announced the plan to deport even registered Afghans, according to Balochistan Information Minister Jan Achakzai.