UK arrests seven illegal Pak immigrants

London, Feb 12: In different search operations, the UK Border and Immigration Agency (UKBA) has arrested a number of illegal immigrants of Pakistani origin and fined their British Pakistani employers millions of rupees.

UKBA arrested seven illegal immigrants during a crackdown operation code-named 'Europteria' at a TV studio, being run by Liaqat Malik, who is a close relative of Pakistan's Interior Advisor Rehman Malik, The Nation said.

In another raid, British Government race adviser Nighat Awan 52, one of the country's richest entrepreneurs who had close links with Cherie Blair, was arrested and quizzed by officers on suspicion of conspiracy to facilitate illegal immigration, and has been bailed to be interrogated further.

At two joints of the popular curry house, Akbar's 25 illegal workers were arrested. Police found a number of Pakistani, Afghan, Iranian and Iraqi nationals suspected to be working illegally there.

A notice of potential liability has been served on the restaurant, which could be hit with a 210,000 pounds fine - 10,000 pounds for each worker - if found guilty of breaching immigration laws.

In another incident, a kebab shop owner faces a fine of up to 20,000 pounds after being caught employing illegal immigrants. Two Pakistanis were discovered working at the Kebana takeaway in Milkstone Road, Rochdale near Manchester during the raid.

They were arrested on suspicion of having overstayed their visa and working illegally and taken to Rochdale police station for further questioning.

Immigration lawyer Amjad Malik warned the employers, "If you are an employer working in the UK, beware that a little careless, and your business may suffer a great loss. From February 29, 2008, an employer based in the UK may be liable to pay a civil penalty if he employs someone who is: subject to immigration control; aged over 16; and not entitled to undertake the work in question."

According to the UK Migration watch, the current backlog is estimated to be around 870,000 but the Home Office accepts the figure of only 570,000.

They include, failed asylum seekers, overstayers, and families with children living in Brain for over five years.

ANI