Camps being set up for returnees from Pakistan

KABUL (Pajhwok): Temporary camps are being established in Nangarhar and Kandahar provinces for refugees returning from Pakistan.

With the deadline for their voluntary repatriation expiring tomorrow (Nov 1), undocumented Afghan migrants are returning in droves from the neighbouring country.

A makeshift camp is being set up in Lalpura district of eastern Nangarhar province to house the returnees, who will be given basic facilities.

Nangarhar’s Deputy Governor Saeedullah Banuri was quoted as saying that returnees from remote provinces would reside in this camp for some time.

Provincial officials say up to 4,000 refugees return from Pakistan daily. The returnees are provided health services in Torkham town  -- the main crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A similar camp is also being built in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province for the refugees deported by Pakistan.

A delegation from Kabul recently visited Kandahar to launch the construction of the camp, the acting minister of refugees said.

Ariana News quoted Khalil-ul-Rahman Haqqani as saying: “We want to build temporary camps with all facilities for the returnees until they are cleared and sent to their permanent places.”

mud