KOHAT: The shortage of food items and lack of employment opportunities have forced Afghan nationals to flee their country and come to Kohat since Taliban have taken control of Kabul.

They also complain about the harsh attitude of Taliban and the restrictions imposed by them. They say that trade activities and prices of real estate have been plummeting in their homeland.

Prof Mohammad Iqbal, a renowned writer, said that millions of Afghans migrated to Pakistan after the USSR invaded their country. He said that they used to live in tents and earn their livelihood through hard labour. However, he said that educated Afghans were not used to working like those Afghan refugees.

Dr Sher Shah Sulemankhel, an eye specialist from Kabul, told this scribe that her two daughters were doctors. He said that one of his daughters was studying abroad and the son of his deceased brother was also associated with the field of medical.

They also complain about insecurity

He had never gone back after migrating to Pakistan in 1980. He is running his clinic in Kohat with his brother Dr Mirwais. Their other scions are getting an education at the National College of Arts.

Dr Sher Shah said that he had to sell his ancestral house but nobody was buying his orchard in Kabul owing to decline of the real estate business as people were cash-starved owing to international sanctions. He said that he needed $18,000 to send to his daughter.

The Afghan nationals said that they were fleeing their country due to increase in attacks by the self-styled Islamic State of Khorasan and the inability of Taliban to stop the attacks.

They also complained about restrictions imposed by Pakistan on their re-entry to the country.

PESCO: During an operation against power thieves in Ustarzai, Pesco removed eight illegal connections, four dysfunctional meters and three double connections on Tuesday.

According to a statement, cases were sent to police for further action.

SEALED: The Halal Food Authority sealed and fined several outlets here on Wednesday.

Food safety officers Mohammad Salma, and Mohammad Waqas Firdous sealed a tick shop for selling expired items. They also fined a vehicle owner for distributing rotten meat to the shops in the main bazaar.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2023