Over 40,000 refugees repatriated as authorities seal camp lands and prepare for demolition phase
Nowshera: In a major administrative move, authorities have fully vacated all three Afghan refugee camps in Nowshera, marking a significant step in Pakistan’s ongoing repatriation policy. The camps Turkmen, Khairabad, and Akora Khattak once housed nearly 42,000 Afghan refugees.
According to Deputy Commissioner Irfanullah Mehsud, more than 40,000 refugees have already returned to Afghanistan following government directives, while around 2,000 individuals have relocated temporarily within the district.
With the camps now cleared, officials have transferred key infrastructure including schools, tube wells for clean drinking water, and dispensaries to relevant government departments. Electricity and other utilities are also being reassigned for administrative use.
Authorities have imposed Section 144 across the vacated lands, banning all forms of buying, selling, or construction. The move aims to prevent illegal occupation or transactions across thousands of kanal of land previously occupied by the camps.
Mehsud confirmed that demolition of remaining structures will begin soon. Once cleared, the land will be handed over to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, which will decide its future use under provincial policy.
The development underscores a broader shift in refugee management, as officials tighten control over vacated properties and prepare for post-clearance planning.
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