SWABI: Afghan refugees of the two camps here in the district on Tuesday demanded of Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to make arrangements for their immediate return to their motherland and avoid further requests to the Pakistani government for extension in their stay.

The refugees gathered at the Gandaf Camp and discussed the prevailing situation. Led by Musharrafullah, Shamasur Rehman, Zarif Khan and Gohati Camp president Mohammad Gul, the refugees said that after several extensions it seemed that the prospects of their stay in Pakistan had dampened.

They said that a total of 18,500 refugees were living in Gandaf Camp and 30,000 in Gohati Camp. The two camps were established soon after the occupation of Afghanistan by former Soviet Union. A number of Afghans also live in different localities of the district.

The refugees complained about shortage of facilities, saying that half of Gandaf Camp did not have the power supply for over a year now. They said that as there real destination was their home country the delaying tactics in their return might not work any longer.

“There is no need of prolonging stay in Pakistan and the best option for the Afghan government is to seek help from the donor agencies who should provide financial support for their rehabilitation in Afghanistan,” said Musharrafullah. This idea was supported by other refugees present on the occasion and they demanded of the Afghan government to take up the issue with the international aid agencies and arrange for their immediate and honourable repatriation.

Zarif Khan said that when the entire world, UNHCR and donor agencies supported the Afghan refugees, the process of their return should not be delayed. He said that the Afghan government should seek financial assistance from the international aid agencies to facilitate their early return. “The arrangements of camps could be made in Afghanistan for our living with dignity,” said Mirza Gul.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2018