SWABI: The members of the district grand jirga have threatened to expel Afghan refugees from Gohati and Gandaf camps if government fails to vacate the areas from them within one month.

They said that Afghan refugees had been living in Gohati and Gandaf camps since 1980s. The members of the jirga met in the district headquarters here the other day to discuss the issue.

The meeting was attended by Topi tehsil chairman Rahim Jadoon, Topi jirga president Fazal Khaliq, District Islahi Jirga president Faiz Al-Hayat, dispute resolution council (DRC) chairman Afsar Khan, former provincial minister Haji Ghafoor Khan Jadoon, former nazim Amit Khan and other elders.

They said the two camps were established for Afghan refugees after former Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in December 1979. They said that Afghan refugees started building permanent houses on the land of locals.

Through a unanimously adopted resolution, they demanded of the government to shift the Afghan refugees from the camps.

They said the responsibility of any untoward incident would rest with the government if it failed to take practical steps for vacating the two camps.

Rahim Jadoon said that they discussed all aspects of the issue and declared that they dealt with the Afghans as brothers and provided all required facilities to them. “Now they have been completely absorbed in the local community,” he added.

Ghafoor Jadoon said that the refugees occupied businesses and remained in league with land grabbers.

“This has resulted in an alarming increase in crime. When locals go to the camps, the refugees insult them and don’t let them visit their fields,” he said.

Afsar Khan said now there was peace in Afghanistan, so the refugees should go back to their homeland.

TEACHERS END STRIKE: The Basic Sciences Association of Gajju Khan Medical College Swabi (GKMCS), who boycotted classes since June 1, called off their strike on Thursday after a meeting with adviser to the chief minister on health Dr Riaz Anwar.

When contacted Dr S Abrar Lakhkar Khan toldDawnthat they had held a meeting with Dr Riaz in Peshawar late Wednesday, discussing all issues related to the GKMCS and how they could be resolved in the best interest of the faculty and students.

In a video message, Dr Anwar said that the protesting BSA members should end their boycott of the classes, move forward and resolve their issues by holding negotiations with the management of the college.

“We will fulfill your legitimate demands, you should call off the strike,” he said.

When contacted the officials in the college toldDawnthat the academic activities had resumed. They added that the college may be closed for summer vacation on Friday.

Published in Dawn, June 9th, 2023