ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief General Syed Asim Munir said on Thursday the safety and security of every Pakistani citizen is of “paramount importance” which cannot be compromised, as the South Asian country gears up to forcibly repatriate illegal immigrants from next month.

Officials in Islamabad earlier this month set Nov. 1 as the final deadline for illegal immigrants in the country to leave voluntarily or face deportation, following a spike in militant attacks predominantly attributed to Afghan nationals.

Pakistan’s Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfraz Bugti said earlier this month that since January, out of the 24 suicide attacks that took place in Pakistan, 14 were carried out by Afghan citizens.

Pakistan’s decision has been criticized by local and international rights groups, who have urged Islamabad to ensure repatriation is voluntary and carried out in a safe manner.

“On the subject of repatriation and deportation of illegal foreigners, COAS expressed ‘Safety and security of each Pakistani is of paramount importance which cannot be allowed to be compromised at any cost,’” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said in a statement.

Munir was speaking to participants of the National Security Workshop, an annual event held at the National Defense University in Islamabad. Participants included parliamentarians, senior civil and armed forces officers, and civil society representatives, the ISPR said.

The army chief said Pakistan’s security and intelligence units have fought militancy “in an exemplary manner.”

“Success will be ours InshAllah with the continued support of the people of Pakistan,” Munir said.

He spoke about various measures being taken by the caretaker administration and the armed forces to curb illegal activities such as smuggling, power theft and narcotics.

“Army is fully engaged in enabling National and Provincial responses in different domains in step with other institutions of the state for the collective good of the people of Pakistan,” the statement added.

To ward off concerns Pakistani authorities would treat illegal immigrants harshly, Bugti announced the establishment of “holding centers” across the country on Thursday to respectfully accommodate illegal citizens with essential amenities before they are deported.

The minister said these centers would provide food and medical facilities to people. He also offered “full assurance” that women, children and elderly people would be kept respectfully at these facilities.