Home department officials deny receiving any directions from the Centre. PHOTO: REUTERS
Officials in the K-P home department told The Express Tribune they have not received any directions or notification to discontinue the crackdown against Afghan refugees in the province. According to media reports, the federal interior minister has issued a notification to the K-P government to stop raids on houses of refugees and end the arrests and harassment at the hands of law enforcers.
Home department officials, however denied receiving any such directives or notification from the Centre.
“I am receiving phone calls from the media asking about the notification, but we do not have any information regarding any such developments,” said an official of the department who deals with issues pertaining to Afghan refugees. He requested to not be named, saying he was not authorised to speak to the media.
“The arrests of Afghan refugees residing illegally in the province are legal and under the law of the land, as is the case around the world. But registered refugees are permitted by the Government of Pakistan to stay here till December 31, 2015 and the policy on this is clear.”
The government started its clampdown on Afghan refugees living in the province following the brutal attack on Army Public School on December 16, 2014. During the subsequent operations, many registered refugees having Proof of Registration (PoR) cards were also harassed by law enforcement agencies.
Afghan authorities including Ambassador Janan Musazai and Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Sayed Hussain Alemi Balkhi have held meetings with the K-P governor and chief minister, interior ministry and SAFRON ministry officials to discuss the issue of harassment of refugees along with their dignified repatriation to Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2015.
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