The federal government has announced the closure of five Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), a move tied to the broader repatriation policy for Afghan citizens.The Ministry of Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) issued an official notification on Friday confirming the decision.According to the government’s notification, three of the closed camps were located in Haripur, one in Chitral, and one in Upper Dir.

Orders have been issued to transfer the land to the provincial government and the respective deputy commissioners.Sources revealed that the Panyan camp in Haripur, one of the largest and oldest Afghan settlements in Pakistan, had been home to over 100,000 refugees for nearly 40 years.The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has consistently reported that the majority of Afghan refugees in Pakistan reside in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The closure of these camps could significantly impact thousands of families who have been living in the province for decades.Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has publicly opposed the move, warning against the forced repatriation of Afghan refugees. He stressed that any such measures should consider humanitarian concerns and the historical ties between the people of KP and Afghan citizens.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)