Preparations Underway in Torkham for Influx of Afghan Returnees from Pakistan.
Mohammad Hashim Maiwandwal, head of Omari Camp in the Torkham township, says full preparations are in place for the reception of Afghan nationals being forcibly returned from Pakistan.
According to officials, if needed, in addition to other basic facilities, up to 5,000 tents will be installed in the camp for returnees.
Maiwandwal stated: “If the number of returnees increases, we are prepared to provide up to 5,000 tents.”
Bakht Jamal Gohar, head of migrant transportation in Torkham, told TOLOnews: “As of today, Tuesday, the return of migrants has been proceeding normally, and we have not encountered any problems. All necessary services for returnees are available here.”
Meanwhile, several recent returnees expelled from Pakistan described the situation of Afghan migrants in that country as concerning.
Sada Gul, deported from Pakistan, told TOLOnews: “All our belongings were left behind, including clothes. I had debts, perhaps around 600,000 or 700,000 rupees, that were left unpaid. They told us to leave immediately.”
Other returnees called on the caretaker government and aid organizations to provide comprehensive support and assistance, saying they were deported by Pakistani police without any support and returned empty-handed.
Karimullah, another deportee, said: “We have come to Afghanistan, but we have no place to live. We don’t know where to go. Land should be allocated for those who are homeless.”
Lal Pacha, another returnee, added: “We had a shop in Pakistan. Everything we owned was left behind, and we were expelled.”
A few days ago, the UNHCR Representative for Afghanistan told TOLOnews that discussions were ongoing with both Iran and Pakistan to stop the forced deportation of Afghan migrants. He stressed that returns must be voluntary, carried out with dignity, and in a respectful manner.
