Dual status: Pakistani citizenship for Afghan refugees draws tribal elders’ ire

Elders reject decision of Kurram Agency’s former political agent, accusing him of taking bribes.


Our Correspondent October 25, 2014

PARACHINAR:


Tribal elders from Kurram Agency have accused former political agent Riaz Mehsud of issuing Pakistani CNICs and passports to 129 Afghan refugees in exchange for bribes.


Addressing a news conference earlier this week, tribal elders Haji Amjid Hussain, Malik Nazir Hussain, Malik Mehboob, Faqir Hussain and Muhammad Taqi claimed no political agent had earlier granted Pakistani citizenship to foreigners living in the agency. However in June 2014, months before his transfer, political agent Riaz Mehsud granted Pakistani citizenship to 129 Afghan refugees.

The elders informed that all of the 129 Afghans are still living in Asgharo and Maidani camps, adding that none of them pursued official channels for the citizenship. They said the refugees hail from Ghilji and Matani tribes of Afghanistan and are still being facilitated from the fund for refugees. The tribesmen claimed records of these refugees are still available with the Commissionerate Afghan Refugees (CAR).

Giving foreigners dual status can fuel the ongoing wave of militancy in the country and any foreigner can easily join the ranks of militants this way, they said. The elders warned political administration officials national security will be jeopardised if the matter is not dealt with an iron fist. They also requested the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governor, prime minister and president to intervene, threatening to take to the streets if no action is taken.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2014.

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