KOHAT: Over 150 Afghans have so far repatriated voluntarily from the refugee camps here, availing the free transportation facilities provided by the government.

An official told Dawn on Wednesday that the process of their return to homeland was going at snail’s pace as Afghan businessmen were reluctant to leave their well-established businesses, and millions’ worth of homes.

The official said in all, 5,647 individuals had been marked as aliens, who were to leave Pakistan.

He explained that the deadline for the Afghans living on the proof of registration cards had been extended by June 30.

Meanwhile, deputy commissioner Abdul Akram Chitrali held a special meeting to review the various aspects of the remapping of Afghan refugees and the procedure for their honourable return.

He directed the departments concerned to take the necessary steps in that regard.

ANP PROTESTS MINERALS BILL: Awami National Party workers staged a protest against the proposed Mines and Minerals Act, 2025 here the other day, terming it against the spirit of the 1973 Constitution and the 18th Constitutional Amendment.

The protesters said the proposed law, if passed, would be a grave injustice with the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which was rich in natural resources.

On the occasion, ANP district president Masood Khalil and general secretary Dr Ishtiaq asked the people to raise their voice against the proposed law.

They said all the parties should launch a concerted effort against the law.

The ANP leaders alleged that the government was buying the lawmakers by paying them Rs1 billion each as development fund to vote for the proposed law.

THREE INJURED IN MISHAP: Three people, including two women of the same family, were injured when a car plunged into a ravine while negotiating a sharp turn in Akhorwal area of Darra Adamkhel tehsil on Wednesday.

A Rescue 1122 ambulance shifted the injured to a local hospital.

Published in Dawn, May 1st, 2025