JUI-F slams handling of Afghan repatriation at Torkham border

KHYBER: The Khyber chapter of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) on Sunday voiced concern over what it described as poor management of the repatriation of Afghans through the Torkham border, warning that the current approach could damage decades of goodwill between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Speaking at a press conference at the district press club in Landi Kotal, local party leaders Mufti Ejaz, Qari Nazeemgul and Muhammad Ahmad Banuri urged the provincial government to put in place a system to ensure the smooth and dignified return of undocumented Afghan nationals.

The JUI-F leaders said Afghan families were being forced to remain for days on roadsides in harsh weather before being allowed to cross the border. They said the process of verification and registration in Landi Kotal was causing prolonged hardship for those returning.

They also alleged misconduct by officials posted at the transit point, claiming that staff members were taking advantage of the difficult circumstances faced by Afghan returnees for personal financial gain. According to the party leaders, large sums were being demanded from Afghans in exchange for quicker registration and verification.

Concerns over trade and livelihoods

The party leaders said the extended closure of the border with Afghanistan was hurting bilateral trade and had left thousands of people without work on both sides of the frontier.

They said many of those who had lost their livelihoods were being pushed towards unlawful activities, while their families were facing severe financial difficulties.

The JUI-F representatives also criticised what they called the provincial government’s continued silence over the problems being faced by local residents affected by the border situation. They said this was not only harming traders and labourers but also amounted to a violation of their basic human rights.

Calling for a distinction between bilateral commerce and security concerns, the party leaders said keeping the border shut and suspending trade would not resolve security issues. Instead, they said, such measures would further weaken mutual trust and confidence between the two neighbouring countries.

The remarks were made as the party pressed the provincial authorities to adopt a more organised and humane mechanism for the repatriation process at Torkham.