PESHAWAR, Mar 25: The Khyber Pakhtukhwa government has approved the partial reopening of the Torkham border specifically for organized convoys of refugees returning to Afghanistan but it would not be opened for general public movement.
In the first phase, Afghan prisoners currently held in jails will be repatriated. According to official sources, over 1,000 Afghan prisoners are in Peshawar Central Jail, while around 1,200 are in Kohat and Haripur jails.
The government incurs daily expenses of millions of rupees for their upkeep. Rising numbers of prisoners, visits by their families and security concerns have prompted urgent action.
Initially, prisoners will be transferred to Nasir Bagh camp for registration before being sent back to Afghanistan in organized convoys via the Torkham border. Strict security arrangements have been put in place and Khyber Police will provide full security from Jamrud to the border.
Officials stated that refugee convoys are likely to begin departing from tomorrow.
In the second phase, refugees living in camps will be repatriated, followed by those residing illegally in various cities during the third phase. The government has emphasized that the entire process will be carried out in a dignified and organized manner.
