Not a safe haven: 4,055 refugees arrested so far
At least 2,047 were booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and deported
At least 2,047 were booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and deported. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
At least 4,055 Afghan refugees have been arrested since the government decided to tighten the noose around unregistered Afghans in the province.
A police official told The Express Tribune at least 2,047 were booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and deported by the K-P Home and Tribal Affairs department.
“All the arrested refugees were shifted to police stations. Those who were able to produce proof of registration cards issued by NADRA were released, while the ones residing without registration in Pakistan were booked and later deported to their home country via Torkham,” he said. He added the police was asked to collect data on Afghan students in schools and seminaries as well as on Afghan teachers and prayer leaders. Around 250 prayer leaders were among those arrested and deported.
The policemen said the ongoing crackdown would continue in the coming days. Refugees have been asked to register with their local police stations in Peshawar and this has forced many families and students of seminaries to flee the country. Police said 10,016 suspicious people were arrested in search and strike operations, including 4,055 Afghan refugees across the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2015.
At least 4,055 Afghan refugees have been arrested since the government decided to tighten the noose around unregistered Afghans in the province.
A police official told The Express Tribune at least 2,047 were booked under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act and deported by the K-P Home and Tribal Affairs department.
“All the arrested refugees were shifted to police stations. Those who were able to produce proof of registration cards issued by NADRA were released, while the ones residing without registration in Pakistan were booked and later deported to their home country via Torkham,” he said. He added the police was asked to collect data on Afghan students in schools and seminaries as well as on Afghan teachers and prayer leaders. Around 250 prayer leaders were among those arrested and deported.
The policemen said the ongoing crackdown would continue in the coming days. Refugees have been asked to register with their local police stations in Peshawar and this has forced many families and students of seminaries to flee the country. Police said 10,016 suspicious people were arrested in search and strike operations, including 4,055 Afghan refugees across the province.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 27th, 2015.