PESHAWAR: Ex-provincial minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shaukat Yousafzai, has declared that he was never against the idea of Afghan refugees going back to their homeland.
While giving an interview to a private news channel, Yousafzai said that if the government drew up a properly planned schedule for the return of the refugees, they would certainly cooperate. He pointed out that a good number of refugees are returning on their own already but their return is hindered because of road blockages. He further highlighted that many refugees are selling their assets and enduring harsh conditions at the border, where they have to wait for days, without food or water, conveying a negative impression.
Yousafzai also spoke about the management of PTI’s media accounts mentioning that he is unsure of the location from which Imran Khan’s social media account is managed and that Barrister Gohar is equally uninformed about this issue.
He further criticized individuals who are promoting themselves using the name of PTI and its founder, while sitting abroad, calling it an unfair use of their political influence.
Slow Afghan repatriation in KP sparks government action
Meanwhile, the Home Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) has expressed concerns about the slow repatriation of illegal Afghan nationals and has ordered police to accelerate the operation.
The Home Department condemned the measures against unlawful Afghan inhabitants in the province and instructed the police to promptly act against those residing in rented accommodations. Officials stated that Afghan refugee camps have imposed a strain on the provincial government, which has resolved to gradually close them because of rising costs.
The department also mentioned that complete information on Afghan nationals has been shared with district police officers. After the data is gathered, the appropriate authorities are expected to take measures.
The repatriation process of illegal Afghan nationals across the province has been extremely slow, prompting the KP Home Department to instruct all agencies to take immediate and effective measures.
