LAHORE: The federal government has moved forward with a sweeping decision to shut down Afghan refugee camps in different parts of the country, issuing formal notifications for Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to notifications available with The News, in Punjab, the government has ordered the closure of the Afghan refugee camp in Mianwali, spread over 390 acres. Following the federal directive, the Punjab Home Department sent a formal letter to the deputy commissioner Mianwali to take charge of all movable and immovable assets of the camp.
The Mianwali camp once hosted more than 50,000 Afghan refugees, though the number gradually declined over time, witAh around 14,000 repatriated to Afghanistan. The camp included eight schools and one hospital. Nearly 200 employees were working there, of which about 120 were paid by the United Nations, while the rest received government salaries, according to sources at the Afghan Relief Commissioner Punjab. The land value of the camp is said to be worth billions of rupees. In Balochistan, five Afghan refugee camps have been formally de-notified. According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior and States & Frontier Regions, the camps ordered to close include Surkhab, Mohammad Khel, Lajay Karez, ZK Karez, Poshi, Katwai, Ghazgahi Minara, Malgagai, Saranan, and Chaghi, located in the districts of Chaghi, Loralai, Pishin, Killa Saifullah, and Quetta. The notification directs that all management and administrative responsibilities of these camps be handed over to the government of Balochistan. Commissioners and deputy commissioners of the related districts, in coordination with provincial commissioners for Afghan refugees, have been tasked with taking over the sites. The provincial government has been instructed to ensure both community safety and productive use of non-movable assets.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, three Afghan refugee camps have also been de-notified. The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Safron confirmed closure of Panian, Basu Mera (Haripur), Padhana, Kalkatak/Kesu and Barawal of the districts Haripir, Chitral and Dir (Upper). The notification stated that all lands and non-movable assets within these camps will be transferred to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, with commissioners of the related districts ensuring written handing-over procedures through Provincial CAR authorities. The KP government has also been directed to guarantee continued productive use of the sites under its supervision.
According to officials, around 17 Afghan refugee camps were established across Pakistan in previous decades, primarily in Punjab, Balochistan, and KP. With the latest notifications, the federal government has accelerated its policy of winding down longstanding refugee settlements. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhary, when contacted to get his version on the development, reiterated the Pakistani government’s firm stance on refugees and foreign nationals. He emphasized that it is the declared policy of the government of Pakistan that no one can remain in the country with refugee status, nor can anyone enter or stay without legal travel documents.
Chaudhary reiterated that no foreigner would be permitted to reside in Pakistan as a refugee. He highlighted the government’s previous efforts, stating that due to this strict policy, over 850,000 refugees have already been repatriated to their home countries. He also noted that Pakistani embassies issue visas—the necessary legal documents—to those who apply for permits.
The State Minister concluded by affirming that the Cabinet has approved a clear policy regarding the status of Afghan nationals and that the government is strictly adhering to it. This policy dictates that no Afghan or any other national may stay or live in Pakistan without obtaining the proper legal documents required for entry and a specific period of residence.