In a landmark move, authorities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have officially concluded the process of shutting down 42 Afghan refugee camps that had been operational for more than half a century. Officials confirmed the completion on Wednesday, marking the end of a 55-year chapter for these settlements.
Phased Shutdown of Long-Standing Settlements
The closure was executed in two distinct phases. In the initial phase, five camps were shut down. This was followed by a second, larger phase where the remaining 37 camps spread across various districts of the province were closed. The federal government has now been formally notified about this significant administrative action.
The primary goal behind this decisive step is to bring the protracted issue of Afghan refugee repatriation to a logical conclusion. Following the closures, the process for the voluntary return of more than 300,000 Afghan refugees residing in these camps has been set into motion.
Law Enforcement and System Streamlining
During the operation to close the camps, police and other law enforcement agencies were actively deployed on the ground. Their presence ensured orderly proceedings, and action was taken against any unregistered Afghan refugees found during the process.
Officials elaborated that shutting down these 55-year-old camps serves a dual purpose. It aims to streamline the system governing refugee residence and registration within Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and to eliminate the existence of any illegal camps that operated outside the formal framework.
A Significant Step in Refugee Management
The complete shutdown of all 42 camps represents a major policy shift and a critical step forward in Pakistan's approach to refugee management. It underscores a focused effort to regulate the status of Afghan nationals in the country and to facilitate their organized return to their homeland.
This development is poised to have substantial implications for the demographics and administrative landscape of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as the province moves to integrate the areas previously occupied by these long-term camps.
