SWABI: The local people here on Saturday opposed the activities of Afghan refugees to construct cemented houses on their lands and appealed to the district administration to stop them from doing so because it would have a far-reaching impact on relations with Afghanistan in future.

Officials of the district administration told Dawn that about 50,000 refugees were living at Gohati and Gandaf camps. There are about 28,000 Afghans in Gohati and about 22,000 in Gandaf. Besides, a number of Afghans also live in different cities and towns of the district, running their own businesses.

The locals said that the Afghans clashed with them on several occasions, declaring that the land was given to them by the government and they were not allowed to meddle in their affairs. The landowners said that they were ready to lay down their lives for their ancestors’ property.

A police official, when contacted, said that they were approached by the landowners and refugees as well. He said that locals wanted to stop the construction of houses and Afghan refugees violated the pledges made by them on numerous occasions.

However, police told the landowners that the land was given to refugees by the government and they should approach both the district administration and district police but their direct intervention could cause a disturbance.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022