Afghan repatriation : Rain, delays slow Afghan return process Afghan repatriation”:

KHYBER:

The repatriation of Afghan refugees to their homeland is continuing at a brisk pace, with more than 10,000 having already returned to Afghanistan. Thousands more have arrived at the holding camp established in Landi Kotal after crossing back, while large numbers from various districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab are also reaching the facility for entry, registration, and return formalities.

However, the process has been slowed by a shortage of basic facilities, insufficient staff, and technical issues, prompting concerns from both the refugees and local residents.

Heavy rainfall in the area over the past day has further compounded the difficulties for those staying at the camp. The downpour not only disrupted repatriation activities but also left hundreds of refugees, many sheltering in the open, exposed to severe cold and hardship. In a display of traditional Pashtun hospitality, locals in Landi Kotal provided shelter in their hujras (guest rooms) to several affected families, protecting them from the rain. Nevertheless, many other families remained in open fields, deprived of basic amenities.

Local welfare organizations and social activists played a commendable role by distributing food, water, and warm items at the camp and along approach routes to mitigate the impact of the rain and cold. Community leaders have praised this spirit of humanitarian support while stressing the need for more organized and sustained relief efforts.

Delays in the immigration and registration process have emerged as a major bottleneck. Afghan refugees and local elders in Landi Kotal have demanded an increase in immigration staff to speed up registration. They noted that previously, processing was also carried out at the Torkham border, which helped distribute the load. Now, with all activities centralized at the Landi Kotal holding camp, overcrowding has intensified.

The National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) has set up 10 windows at the camp, but only two are dedicated to manifest preparation. These handle the complete documentation, including fingerprints and photographs, for children over 10 years old, leading to long queues and hours-long waits for many refugees. Officials have acknowledged that increasing the number of windows could accelerate the process.

NADRA authorities have pointed to additional challenges, including difficulties in obtaining fingerprints due to henna on Afghan women’s hands and rough skin on men’s hands, which slow down biometric verification. Weak internet connectivity has further hampered data transmission, causing more delays in registration.

The Torkham border crossing is currently open only for the return of Afghan refugees, while regular pedestrian movement and commercial activities remain fully suspended. Other crossings along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border are also closed to trade, severely affecting the local economy. Traders, transporters, hotel owners, customs clearing agents, and daily-wage workers in Landi Kotal have urged the government to reopen the border for commercial activities as soon as possible to restore livelihoods for thousands of people.

Local elders warned that the prolonged border closure has sharply increased unemployment and nearly halted business in the area. They cautioned that failure to improve the situation soon would lead to greater economic hardship for the local population.

On the directives of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, his elder brother Naveed Afridi visited the Afghan refugees’ holding camp in Landi Kotal. He was accompanied by officials from the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) and the Khyber district administration. During the visit, the team reviewed facilities at the camp, the problems faced by refugees, and overall administrative arrangements.

Naveed Afridi announced immediate relief measures, stating that 70 tents would be installed initially, along with three large communal tents to meet collective needs. He directed the establishment of a regular medical camp to provide prompt healthcare to the sick. Instructions were also issued to ensure a steady supply of food items.

On the special orders of Chief Minister Afridi, tents and food supplies have already been delivered to the camp and distributed among the Afghan refugees. Officials said complaints regarding NADRA have been taken seriously, with concerned departments instructed to resolve the issues promptly.