PHC says legislation regarding Afghans should be discussed in parliament

Earlier this year, the government had given a two-year extension to Afghan refugees on the request of the UNHCR

Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan said the legislation governing residence and business of Afghan refugees should be discussed in parliament, adding such administrative issues increase the burden on the court.

The two-member bench comprising Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Qaiser Rashid dismissed the writ petition of Advocate Muhammad Mauzzam Butt regarding legislation governing Afghan refugees, since the court had already passed an order to repatriate the refugees in six months.

Butt said Afghan refugees have opened shops in every market of the province, bought houses in many cities and pay nothing in tax. He said without proper legislation, the stay of Afghan refugees is a threat to national security.

Chief Justice Khan said the court has already directed the provincial and federal governments to make necessary arrangements for the repatriation of Afghan refugees within six months, but the order has not been followed. He said the petitioner should file contempt of order petition in order to push for legislation governing refugees.

Earlier this year, however, the government had given a two-year extension to Afghan refugees on the request of UNHCR, the United Nation’s Refugee Agency.

The court said such legislation could be attended to in the parliament and the ruling party is in a better position to tackle the issue.