‘Holding camp’ ready as deadline for illegal aliens expires

Officials review facilities in camp established in government college

Afghan refugees arrive in trucks to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Torkham. Photo: AFP

ISLAMABAD:

The refugee holding camp in Government Shehbaz Sharif Associate College Khayaban Sir Syed has become functional for the evacuation of illegal aliens, including Afghan settlers, a spokesperson for the district administration said Tuesday.

He said Rawalpindi Commissioner Liaquat Ali Chattha along with Regional Police Officer (RPO) Syed Khurram visited the camp established in the Government Shehbaz Sharif Associate College Khayaban Sir Syed.

“He reviewed the arrangements in the camp to be established for the deportation of illegal settlers. On this occasion, Assistant Commissioner Qandeel Fatima, Chief Officer Municipal Corporation Amjad Chaudhry and other relevant officers were also present there,” the spokesperson said.

Read: Control room set up for illegal immigrants

During his visit, the commissioner was informed that accommodation for 450 people was arranged in the camp. “A total of 12,000 Afghans have been identified in Rawalpindi district, of which 6,000 are illegal while the remaining 6,000 are yet to be verified,” the commissioner was informed.

The spokesperson said a NADRA desk was set up in the camp so that the data of the persons brought there could be verified immediately. “In such a case, after checking, the illegal persons will be kept in the camp for deportation while the registered ones will be allowed to go,” he said. “Adequate arrangements have been made for the refugees to sleep and eat and drink in the camp, while a medical camp will also be set up there to provide medical facilities,” he added.

“Next Friday or Saturday, clearance will be received from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government after which these refugees will be brought to the Torkham border.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1st, 2023.

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