Pakistan Closes Guwahati Refugee Camp in Swabi, Blocks Afghan Migrants’ Shops

Pakistani authorities have closed all shops in the Afghan refugee camp known as ‘Guwahati’ located in Swabi district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, announcing that the legal status of the camp has ended. Officials stated that residents of the camp are no longer allowed to stay in the area.

The Dawn newspaper reported that the order to close the camp was issued yesterday. It is estimated that around 20,000 Afghan migrants live in this camp.

A Pakistani official commented on the decision, saying: “Afghans can no longer live in Pakistan. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached their lowest level.”

In response, Mohammad Gul, head of the Afghan Traders Union in the region, urged local authorities to allow the migrants to remain in the camp after Eid. He stated that many residents and traders have borrowed money from various sources and would face serious problems if forced to evacuate immediately.