The Director General of the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration Lt. Gen. Achol Cyier Rehan has suspended an operation to check the credentials and documentation of foreign nationals.
In a statement to the media, Achol directed police stations and state authorities to refrain from participating in or facilitating the exercise until further notice.
The directive also states that the operation must receive approval from the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
“Accordingly, all police stations and states are hereby directed to suspend and refrain from initiating, participating in, or facilitating any such or related activities until further directives are issued by the office,” the directive states.
The operation, reportedly known as “Silence Search,” has been described by immigration authorities as a national initiative requiring broader consultation and coordination before it can proceed.
In a directive addressed to chiefs of immigration at stations and in the states, the Directorate of Civil Registry, Nationality, Passport and Immigration said the exercise requires coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, foreign embassies and other relevant authorities.
The suspension means that police and immigration personnel at state and station levels are expected to refrain from carrying out activities connected to the credential-checking operation until new instructions are issued.
The directive places particular emphasis on consultation with foreign diplomatic missions and other relevant institutions, reflecting the cross-border and diplomatic considerations that may arise from operations involving foreign nationals.
She did not indicate how long the suspension would remain in effect or provide a specific date for the possible resumption of the operation.
For now, immigration and police authorities have been instructed to await further direction from the relevant offices before undertaking any related searches or credential-checking activities.
