Pakistani Police Destroy Eight Afghan Migrant Camps in Kohat, Order Return to Afghanistan
Several Afghan migrants in the Kohat camp of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province say Pakistani police have demolished their shops and ordered them to leave the area and return to Afghanistan. According to the migrants, this move has sparked widespread protests and dissatisfaction among the camp residents.
Meanwhile, Pakistani media reported that eight Afghan migrant camps in the Kohat and Hangu areas were destroyed yesterday. According to these reports, the camps had been evacuated earlier, but some individuals had reestablished shops in those areas, which Pakistani authorities labeled as “illegal” before demolishing them.
The migrants say many families cannot afford the cost of relocating to Afghanistan and are facing difficult economic conditions. They emphasize that a sudden return, without proper arrangements, places additional pressure on vulnerable families.
At the same time, some migrants in the Landi Kotal camp near the Torkham crossing have complained about the lack of basic services and poor living conditions. A resident of that camp told media outlets: “It has been three days that migrants are facing serious problems; it is raining, the weather is cold, and there are sick people among them. The route must be opened.”
On the other hand, some Pakistani traders have stated that the departure of Afghan migrants has created a gap in the region’s economic activities; a gap that, they believe, may take years to fill. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has been one of the regions hosting a large number of Afghan migrants over the past decades, with their presence playing a significant role in various economic sectors.
