Afghan refugees in Lower Dir, a district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, have been told by local officials that all the services they have relied on will shut down.
The announcement came after Assistant Commissioner Zaid Safi and District Administrator Humayun Khan met with camp leaders on Wednesday. They explained that the federal government has de‑notified the three main camps—Chakdara, Samarbagh and Timar—and that the authorities will transport refugees to the Torkham border crossing.
Safi said the administration will arrange buses for those willing to leave. He warned that the government may use force if refugees refuse to return voluntarily, but hoped for a smooth transition. Refugees who still owe loans can discuss their plans at Safi’s office.
The district hosts more than 40,000 Afghan refugees, including 4,500 families living in the closed camps and rented homes. So far, 565 people from 100 families have already returned to Afghanistan on their own. Officials have asked the provincial government for funding to cover transport costs to Torkham. As of now, 33,681 refugees in Lower Dir hold registration cards, while 6,100 carry Afghan citizen cards; another 3,000 Afghans live in Upper Dir.
Across the country, police and Pakistani authorities have also cleared the UN‑designated Afghan camp in Karachi’s Sohrab Goth. Since the operation began on October 15, they have demolished about 1,200 of the more than 3,000 shuttered houses. SSP‑West Tariq Illahi Mastoi told reporters that the demolition is almost finished, with more than 14,000 Afghans already vacated the site. Earlier, 15,680 Afghans had lived there, and 14,296 have now returned to Afghanistan. The remaining 1,384 are being repatriated in phases.
The move reflects Pakistan’s broader strategy to repatriate Afghan refugees, a policy that has spurred debate over human rights and humanitarian access. The government plans to conclude the Lower Dir operation within a few days, tightening its border controls and preparing refugees for their return to Afghanistan.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
