Camp No 5: NGO shuts down training centre at Afghan camp following threats

Letters directed male members to keep their sisters, daughters at home or ‘face consequences’.

HARIPUR: The Church World Service (CWS) was forced to shut down its skill development programme for women in Afghan refugee camp no 5 Padhana, Haripur following an anonymous threatening letter.

The international non-governmental organisation (NGO) started its one-year skill-based programme on September 16 in Padhana. The programme consists of four-month modules at camps in Haripur, teaching girls embroidery and dress-making, and boys courses in electronics, carpentry and welding.

A house owned by Mullah Wakeel from the Padhana refugee camp was used as one of the centres, with 75 girls enrolled. The training for the boys took place in a rented house near Baboo Chowk Khalabat Township.

Only for the girls

Late September, girls receiving training at the NGO station received letters from an unidentified source, The Express Tribune learnt. The communiqué threatened ‘dire consequences’ if the NGO did not desist from running the skill programme for girls.

The letters, addressed to the brothers and fathers of the girl trainees, were dropped at their houses, asking the men to stop sending their sisters and daughters. The letter was written in Pashto on plain paper and was not signed by any individual or group.

It warned male members of each family to keep their daughters and sisters away or else ‘be ready for the consequences’.

Following the letters, Haripur police asked CWS to shut down the programme for girls, but allowed a similar programme for boys to continue.

According to CWS management, meetings were held with Afghan Camps District Administrator Syed Javed Shah, DSP Tahir Iqbal and the camp elders following the letters. The camp administrator and Afghan elders requested CWS to continue with their programme as it was meant for the economic welfare of the refugees. They promised to provide security to CWS staff and trainees.

However, DSP Tahir Iqbal asked the NGO to discontinue its activities and shut down their centre for girls.

“Yes we closed down the centre last Friday following the orders of local police,” CWS Project Manager Shahabuddin told journalists. Although CWS did not receive any threat directly, some of its trainees did receive such a letter, he confirmed.

Shahbuddin explained he had met the elders as well as Shah – both promised security for the centre. The centre would start functioning again within a few days if the assurances come through.

When approached for comments, DSP Tahir Iqbal confirmed he received a report of the threat. The house being used as the training centre was not secure, hence the CWS administration was asked to relocate to a safer place within the camp, added Iqbal. CWS staff would be provided security and the police was looking into the letter, said the DSP.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2013.