ABBOTTABAD: As many as 14,000 Afghan nationals have been repatriated from Hazara Division during the past four months after the directives issued to all deputy commissioners to complete the process within the shortest possible time.
According to official data, 1,680 Afghans have left Abbottabad, while 3,800 were repatriated from Haripur, 9,580 from Mansehra, and around 300 from Battagram district so far.Sources confirmed that the remaining Afghan nationals would be returned within the next two weeks.
It was reported that approximately 200 Afghan families have already left Abbottabad, while around 2,100 individuals in Haripur and 8,700 in Mansehra are preparing to return to Afghanistan.
Most Afghan nationals engaged in various businesses in Abbottabad have reportedly sold their shops and other valuables, including vehicles, prior to their departure.Meanwhile, allegations of misappropriation during the evacuation of Afghan refugee camps in Haripur have surfaced.
Sources claimed that electricity transformers, water supply pipes, boring machines, and solar inverters worth millions of rupees were sold from refugee camps located at Panian and Padhana.
There were reports of irregularities in the evacuation process that allegedly caused losses at these camps. However, when contacted, District Administrator Qudratullah Marwat rejected the allegations.
He confirmed that 37,000 Afghan nationals had returned to their homeland from all three refugee camps in Haripur.The official further stated that around 20,000 Afghans are still residing in refugee camps and would be repatriated soon.
Meanwhile, a video-link meeting on the return of illegally residing Afghan nationals was held under the chairmanship of Hazara Division Commissioner Fayaz Ali Shah. The meeting was attended by deputy commissioners of all districts of Hazara Division. The commissioner directed officials to accelerate the repatriation process and strictly adhere to the prescribed timeline.
He ordered the formation of special teams and the adoption of an effective strategy to ensure timely completion of the process. It was emphasized that all illegally residing Afghan nationals must be repatriated within the next 10 days.
