Demolitions of Afghan homes begin in Karachi's Sohrab Goth

The repatriation of thousands of Afghan nationals from the Afghan Basti (Afghan Camp) in Karachi, authorities have now begun demolishing homes in the vacated area amid growing concerns over potential illegal occupation.

The Malir Development Authority (MDA) has taken control of the land and initiated demolition of the abandoned houses to prevent encroachment and reclaim the land for official use. The move comes after earlier warnings by DIG West Irfan Baloch, who had raised alarms about land grabbers eyeing the area.

In a letter to the city police chief, DIG Baloch had urged immediate intervention, suggesting the formation of a joint committee comprising the MDA, the deputy commissioner’s office, and police to survey the land and secure it.

At that time, it was reported that over 3,000 houses in the Afghan Camp, located within the jurisdiction of the Gulshan-e-Maymar police station, housed approximately 15,000 Afghan nationals. While most have now returned to Afghanistan, around 1,500 individuals reportedly remain in the area.

To prevent illegal occupation, the MDA has now moved in to demolish the structures and assert control over the land. The process is ongoing, with heavy machinery seen at the site, removing homes that were once part of the decades-old informal settlement.

Authorities maintain that the operation is necessary to prevent the powerful land mafia from seizing control of the valuable real estate. However, some residents and rights activists have raised concerns about the fate of the remaining families and the humanitarian implications of sudden demolitions.

Muhammad Farooq Bugti, Director of State and Enforcement at MDA, said in an interview that Afghan refugees had settled in the camp after the Afghan war in 1984. Now, under the state’s repatriation policy, they are returning to their homeland. “There are over 3,000 houses in the Afghan camp, about 50 percent have already been vacated, and the rest are in the process. Soon, the camp will be completely cleared,” he stated. He confirmed that illegal structures were built on government land, which is now being reclaimed for the state.

Bugti further said that clashes occurred between the police and land grabbers, as Karachi’s land mafia tried to seize the empty houses. However, the government intervened with a joint operation to restore order. He added that the operation will only be completed once all vacant structures are demolished.

SSP West Tariq Elahi Mastoi told reporters that the operation was being conducted under Pakistan’s national policy. “For over fifty years, we hosted our Afghan brothers, sharing our homes, land, and food. Now, it’s time for them to return to their homeland,” he said. He explained that the Afghan camp covered 200 acres, with over 3,000 houses accommodating more than 15,000 registered refugees, of whom about 8,000 have already returned to Afghanistan. The vacant homes are now being demolished, and the operation will continue for the next few days.

He added that some miscreants tried to reoccupy the vacated houses, but law enforcement acted swiftly to clear the area. “There has been no major protest; people have been informed that the land belongs to the government, and this operation is part of official policy,” he said.

Anti Encroachment SHO West Shayan Anjum added that when Afghan families vacated their homes, land grabbers immediately attempted to seize them by painting their names on the walls. Complaints were received on Tuesday night, after which authorities launched a pre dawn operation at 6 a.m. “More than 250 houses and permanent structures have been demolished,” he confirmed.

He further said that around 1,300 Afghan residents still remain in the camp, pending verification or granted temporary extensions by the administration. The land, spread over more than 200 acres, falls under MDA Taiser Town’s allotted sector. “Until Tuesday, there was chaos, everyone was trying to grab a share. Multiple groups, including the land mafia, were involved, but all have now been cleared out,” Anjum stated, adding that the operation is expected to conclude within two to four days, with an intensified phase resuming on Thursday.