Peshawar (News Reporter) – The provincial government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has announced the closure of Afghan camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to the scheduled repatriation of Afghan nationals.
According to sources, the deadline for Afghan refugees to return home ends tomorrow, after which all camps across various districts of the province will be phased out.
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In the initial phase, several camps have already been closed, while preparations to completely shut the remaining camps in the next phase have been finalized. The provincial government has officially informed the Afghan Commissionerate and all relevant authorities, including Deputy Commissioners, to ensure that the process is completed in a timely, organized, and transparent manner.
Sources added that a new policy regarding Afghan refugees is expected to be announced tomorrow. According to this policy, refugees holding valid registration cards may possibly receive some relief, while undocumented residents will be included in the immediate repatriation process.
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Reports indicate that millions of Afghan refugees have been living in various areas of the province for decades. Their camps were located not only in the outskirts of major cities but also in tribal districts.
Officials say that after the closure of Afghan camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the repatriation process will be further accelerated to reduce the provincial burden and to address security and other related issues.
It is worth noting that, according to the federal government’s policy on Afghan repatriation, no Afghan camps or illegal settlements will be permitted in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after 1 September.
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Authorities stress that this phased closure plan will be implemented in multiple stages to ensure that refugee return is orderly and that relief measures for registered refugees are delivered efficiently.
