Ban imposed: Afghans forced to stay in camps

HARIPUR: Deputy Commissioner of Haripur district Humayun Khan has banned Afghan refugees from leaving their camps for four days under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. According to a handout issued from the DC Haripur office on Tuesday, the decision was taken to ensure peace during local government elections in the district. The DC, who is also the district returning officer, has imposed the ban from May 29 to June 1. Haripur has over 100,000 registered Afghan refugees living in camps and other parts of the district. According to crime data, Afghan refugees are found to be involved in various criminal activities. As a result, locals have time and again demanded their repatriation to Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 27^th, 2015.