A goodbye tale: Repatriation speeds up in Shabqadar, Mohmand Agency

Businesses affected as Afghan nationals return home

SHABQADAR: Unregistered Afghan refugees in Shabqadar and Lower Mohmand Agency have started repatriation as the government’s deadline draws closer.

An official privy to the development told The Express Tribune security officials have set July 25 as the last date for unregistered Afghan refugees residing Shabqadar and Lower Mohmand Agency to vacate their houses.

He added their attention will shift to other areas after all Afghan refugees move from Mullagori, Khyber Agency.

According to the official, the houses of refugees in Mullagori have been demolished after the repatriation.

The forces are set to demolish houses that were illegally constructed in Michni, Ekka Ghund and Munda refugee camps. The official added registered Afghans will be treated as per international law. At least 100 families have been repatriated from these areas.

Deserted streets

Businesses in Shabqadar Bazaar have been affected by repatriation. Most vendors who used selling fruits and vegetable in Shabqadar, Ekka Ghund and Aisha Kor Bazaar are no longer spotted. The once busy market now looks deserted.

Muhibullah, an Afghan national, who sold fruits in Main Bazaar for the past 30 years, told The Express Tribune he plans to leave Pakistan over the next few days.

He added that his brother Waheed who had no valid documents was arrested by the police five days ago in Peshawar and has not been deported to Afghanistan.

Muhibullah will leave Pakistan once his brother is deported. He said the attitude of the police after this incident has compelled his family to leave the area even though their neighbours want them to stay in the country.

He said Afghan nationals who can produce legal documents should be treated according to international law. “Harassing refugees will ignite unnecessary hate among two brotherly nations,” he said.

Syed Nadir Shah, an activist, told The Express Tribune a large number of young people who work as vendors in the market are very happy over the repatriation.

“However, a majority of middle-aged Pakistanis, especially women, are very upset about the decision,” he added.

It is not uncommon for families who are leaving the country to visit their neighbours to say goodbye. Bidding farewell to each other has become particularly difficult as Afghan nationals have been living in the area for three decades and has become a part of their surroundings.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2016.