Security Measures: Afghan refugees banned in Abbottabad

ABBOTABAD:

The district administration has decided to ban the entry of Afghan refugees in the city, confining them to the camps and their residences in the outskirts of Abbottabad.

According to an administrative order through the Abbottabad District Coordination Office, the entry of Afghan refugees living in adjoining areas of Abbottabad has been banned under Section 144 (joining unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapon) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). The restriction would remain enforced for 30 days, official sources said on Friday.

Abbottabad District Coordination Officer Syed Zaheerul Islam has warned that the violators would be dealt under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the PPC.

The sources said there are hundreds of Afghan refugees who have been living in and around the city for the past three decades and they are involved in various business activities and services.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2011.