PESHAWAR: Influx from troubled areas creating social problems
Bureau Report
PESHAWAR, Nov 22: The continuing influx of displaced people from South Waziristan, North Waziristan, Swat and Shangla regions has served to compound the social problems faced by the already over-populated city of Peshawar.
The government recently closed down a big refugee camp, situated in Kacha Garhi, and the refugees were apparently repatriated to Afghanistan. But the whole exercise proved to be futile as most of them returned and settled in different parts of Peshawar, maintaining pressures on the already deficient civic infrastructure.
Members of law-enforcement agencies are unable to check the arrival of Afghans as the long and porous Pak-Afghan border cannot be manned completely and anybody can move to and from Afghanistan easily.
Just prior to the government’s closure of the refugee camp, most of the refugees had shifted to Peshawar city. They hired houses, shops and even purchased their own property at higher prices, leading to a sharp increase in the value of land as well as in the monthly rent.
However, due to the fresh influx of people, the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that the people of lower income groups are unable to pay the monthly rent. The sharp increase in the prices of property has led to a mushroom growth of the real estate business in the provincial capital.
During a brief survey carried out by Dawn, it was revealed that tailors, milk sellers, owners of grocery stores and pharmacies display big signs announcing the sale and purchase of property.
The survey also found that the people of the areas not directly affected by the law and order situation, have started moving to safer areas, particularly Peshawar.
According to property dealers, the prices of land and buildings in the provincial capital have gone up 10 times during the past six months.
Low-salaried employees of public- and private-sector organisations have been hit particularly badly, as they are unable to pay the house rent, especially in localities close to Peshawar Saddar.
According to property dealers, prices of land and buildings in Gulbahar, Gulberg, University Town, Shami Road, Warsak Road, City Town and Ring Road have skyrocketed.
The influx of people from Swat and other law and order-plagued areas has also affected the demographic balance of other districts like Nowshera and Mardan which are close to the troubled areas.
Unable to purchase costly land or hire expensive houses, migrants are leading a miserable life as they often live in temporary shelters provided by their relatives or friends.
