No place to call home: PA warns tribesmen from selling property to Afghans
Says evidence suggests some tribesmen from across the border are involved in terrorism.
This banner was put up in all main squares of Jamrud, Khyber Agency. PHOTO: EXPRESS
LANDIKOTAL:
The Jamrud political administration issued a decree on Sunday stating any tribesman found selling property to Afghan citizens would be fined Rs5 million and expelled from the area.
Assistant Police Agent (APA) Jehangir Azam Wazir said the order was passed after it was uncovered that many Afghan citizens were involved in illegal activities. A banner and posters were put up in all main squares, warning tribesmen from selling property to Afghans.
Wazir said they will launch a crackdown against the Shinwari, Khugyani, Kochyan and Zadran tribesmen of Afghanistan who have settled in Jamrud. “Evidence suggests some tribesmen from across the border are involved in terrorism,” said the APA, adding an operation will also be initiated against local tribesmen who are providing shelter to militants.
Last week, 12 tonnes of explosives were seized by security forces in Shahkas from an Afghan citizen who had hidden the material in a warehouse, Wazir informed. He said they have asked tribesmen to lead them to places where Afghan citizens own land.
Meanwhile, talking to The Express Tribune, Janat Gul, whose forefathers belong to Afghanistan, said he was born in Pakistan and his family shifted here 40 years ago. “We have property here. After driving us out, the political administration will occupy our houses,” said Gul, pleading to the government to relax the law for those who have been living in the country for decades. “We decided to leave Afghanistan and settle in Pakistan; the government should provide us asylum.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2013.
The Jamrud political administration issued a decree on Sunday stating any tribesman found selling property to Afghan citizens would be fined Rs5 million and expelled from the area.
Assistant Police Agent (APA) Jehangir Azam Wazir said the order was passed after it was uncovered that many Afghan citizens were involved in illegal activities. A banner and posters were put up in all main squares, warning tribesmen from selling property to Afghans.
Wazir said they will launch a crackdown against the Shinwari, Khugyani, Kochyan and Zadran tribesmen of Afghanistan who have settled in Jamrud. “Evidence suggests some tribesmen from across the border are involved in terrorism,” said the APA, adding an operation will also be initiated against local tribesmen who are providing shelter to militants.
Last week, 12 tonnes of explosives were seized by security forces in Shahkas from an Afghan citizen who had hidden the material in a warehouse, Wazir informed. He said they have asked tribesmen to lead them to places where Afghan citizens own land.
Meanwhile, talking to The Express Tribune, Janat Gul, whose forefathers belong to Afghanistan, said he was born in Pakistan and his family shifted here 40 years ago. “We have property here. After driving us out, the political administration will occupy our houses,” said Gul, pleading to the government to relax the law for those who have been living in the country for decades. “We decided to leave Afghanistan and settle in Pakistan; the government should provide us asylum.”
Published in The Express Tribune, September 2nd, 2013.