MANSEHRA, Sept 13: Hazara commissioner Khalid Khan Umerzai on Thursday said the administration had finalised a strategy to restrict Afghan refugees to camps in the division.

“Afghan refugees are involved in half of the terrorist activities and other crime in the province. In accordance with the provincial government’s instructions, they will be restricted to their respective camps in Hazara division,” he told traders and other segments of society at the district council hall here.

The commissioner said the strategy on how to restrict Afghan refugees to their camps would be made shortly.

He said Afghan refugees had been living in Mansehra, Abbottabad and Haripur camps for three decades.

Mr Umerzai said the government had yet to waive off ‘shutter levy’ but he would request the excise department to receive the outstaying amount of money in installments for the convenience of traders.

He said fruit and vegetable market located near the main bus terminal should be shifted outside the city to ease traffic mess.

“It is a big hurdle to development of the city and its people,” he said.

Earlier in the day, law-enforces blocked entrance to fruit and vegetable market on the orders of district coordination officer Dr Amber Ali Khan.

Traders showed up in large numbers but dispersed.

Deputy inspector general of police, Hazara range Dr Naeem, district coordination officer Mansehra Dr Amber Ali Khan and district police officer Sher Akbar Khan and heads of line departments were present on the occasion.