MANSEHRA: The Afghan refugees settled in different parts of Mansehra district have demanded one-year extension in their legal stay in Pakistan.

The federal government has set the Dec 31, 2016, deadline for Afghans to return.

“As the law and order situation in Afghanistan is very delicate, it is very difficult for us to settle there. The Pakistani government should relax the Dec 31 deadline set for our repatriation,” Afghan elder Maulana Hamid told a jirga held at Khaki Camp here on Friday.

Mr. Hamid said Afghan refugees appealed to the government to give them more time to stay in Pakistan.

“We know we have to move out of Pakistan one day but in light of the current security crisis in Pakistan, we should be allowed to stay here for at least one more year,” he said.

The Afghan elder said the refugees living in Pakistan shouldn’t pay for Kabul’s pro-New Delhi policies.

Another Afghan elder, Malik Shakir, said the Pakistani government should seriously think about the possible misery of Afghans before sending them back.

“The Torkham border has been closed for many days so it is difficult for us to go back,” he said.

The elder said schools established at refugee camps shouldn’t be closed down as the act would adversely affect the education of Afghan children.

He said the government should ensure that the Afghans doing business in Pakistan get due payments from Pakistani partners without trouble before repatriation.

Mr. Shakir also demanded the Torkham border staff consider the cards issued by the National Database and Registration Authority to Afghan refugees as their valid passports.

FUNDS OKAYED: The Kaghan Development Authority has approved Rs90 million for the promotion of tourism in the valley.

The authority was formed by the last ANP-led government but the provincial budgets have never gotten funds for the promotion of tourism in Kaghan.

“We want to provide better infrastructure and services to the visitors to our picturesque valley.

“We’ve planned eight Rs90.6 million projects for the purpose work on which will get underway soon,” KDA director Nasir Hayat told reporters in Balakot on Friday.

The official said a fire tender would be bought at the cost of Rs0.8 million to check the fire incidents.

He said Rs12 million was sanctioned to execute a water scheme in Naran and Rs24 million to set up garbage dumping sites and purchase garbage trucks.

Mr. Hayat said funds would also be used to build mosques and tuck shops, install solar lights and develop recreational spots alongside the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2016