MANSEHRA: The district administration has demolished slum houses at the Ichrian Afghan refugees’ camp to ensure repatriation of its residents to their native country.

“In pursuance of government orders to take possession of land occupied by Afghan refugees’ camps in the district, we have demolished all slum houses built at the Ichrian camp,” an official of the district administration told reporters on Sunday.

A joint team comprising the district administration, police and officials of the Afghan Refugees Department, led by the assistant commissioner Baffa-Pakhal, Mohammad Faraz Qureshi, carried out the operation and demolished dozens of houses at the Ichrian camp.

According to eyewitnesses, officials also met family heads who were still residing there and urged them to voluntarily repatriate to Afghanistan to avoid further action.

The Afghan nationals were informed that their stay anywhere in the district after the deadline set by the federal government was illegal and that they could face legal action if they failed to leave.

The federal government has de-notified all Afghan refugee camps established in the Hazara division and other parts of the country, directing residents to return to their native country.

Sources in the district administration said that slum houses at Afghan refugees’ camps in Barari and Khaki would also be demolished within the next few days.

Meanwhile, the administration held jirgas with Afghan nationals still residing in the district in violation of the Foreigners Act, urging them to return to their native country before the government launches a crackdown.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2026