SWABI, Nov 6: The district administration has decided to collect data of all outsiders and aliens, including Afghan nationals, residing in different localities here for last several years so that effective planning could be made for checking crimes and providing protection to life and property of people in Swabi, sources said.

They said that a few days ago district police officer Sajjad Khan held a meeting with the local political leaders and apprised them of the security needs and the government’s move to collect data of outsiders residing in the district.

“We want to know about the localities of the outsiders and identify the landowners with whom these outsiders have been living for many years. Those who utilise the outsiders’ workforce should provide the data,” an official quoted the DPO as saying.

Masood Jabbar, former provincial leader of Qaumi Watan Party, said that many people had also come from Swat, Dir and other parts of Malakand division and settled here.

The sources said that the local leaders assured the DPO that they would help the police in collection of data from their respective regions. They said that Topi city was on top where about 85 per cent people migrated and settled there. They said that the outsiders, also including people from Punjab, had outnumbered local people in Topi.

An official said that they would continue efforts to maintain the law and order in Swabi district.

“Security is a major problem and leaders of political parties have been told to cooperate with the administration in pointing out alien people,” said another official who participated in the meeting.

The sources said that activities of Afghan displaced persons living in Gohati and Gandaf Afghan refugee camps had been monitored. It has been learnt that about 52,000 Afghans have been living in Gohati and Gandaf camps.

In addition, a number of Afghan nationals have been living in other parts of the district. The problem is that these Afghans are working in different areas and have children who grew up here. It is difficult now to differentiate between Afghan and local people, say politicians. A number of them have established their own businesses and strengthened their roots.

The sources said that many people had also migrated here from tribal agencies.