RECORDER REPORT

PESHAWAR: Security forces and political administration officials on Sunday ordered Afghan refugees who are residing without registration in the area to leave Mohmand Agency.

The unregistered Afghan refugees started negotiation with the political administration to get an extension in the deadline and avoid a crackdown.

According to sources, the security forces had on July 10 asked the unregistered Afghan refugees to leave the agency. However, only 12 unregistered Afghan refugees had left and migrated to home country Afghanistan in last five days.

According to reports, more than 100 unregistered Afghan refugees still reside in Yakaghund, Halimzai, Ghandaw and other areas of the tribal agency.

According to security forces, the elders of the Afghan community have held three Jirgas with the political administration to get an extension in the deadline.

The official said that strict action would be taken against violators of the notification, while the administration asked locals for not providing houses on rent to the Afghan refugees following the orders.

According to unregistered Afghan refugees, they have business and trade here in the Agency and wanted to sum up their business activities before leaving. They asked the political administration to give them reasonable time in this regard.

Political Agent Mahmood Aslam told media persons that he was following direction and laws of the government in this regard. All the possible facilities have been given to them, he concluded.

The official said the deadline on 10th July was given to the selected afghan refugees, not for all residing in the tribal region. Those selected Afghan immigrants running shops and other business in Mohmand Agency’s various local bazaars should sale their businesses and return to their home country, he added. He said few families had returned to their hometown in the neighbouring Afghanistan.

It is pertinent to mention here that government had allowed registered Afghan refugees to leave until December 31, 2017.