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Pakistan to close 16 Afghan refugee camps across three provinces

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Khaama Press – Pakistan has decided to close 16 Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab, affecting over 90,000 refugees amid ongoing security concerns and humanitarian debates.

Pakistani media have reported that the government has decided to close 16 Afghan refugee camps located in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. The decision reflects Islamabad’s continued policy shift on Afghan refugees.

According to Dawn, the camps set for closure include Haripur, Chitral and Upper Dir in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; Chagai, Loralai, Killa Saifullah, Pishin and Quetta in Balochistan; and Mianwali in Punjab.

Around 13,000 families, amounting to more than 90,000 Afghan refugees, currently live in these camps. Reports indicate that no raids, arrests or coercive measures have been used so far to push residents out.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has maintained that Afghan refugees will not be forcibly expelled, emphasising that humanitarian considerations must guide state policy.

Most of these camps were established in the early 1980s when Afghans fled to Pakistan following the Soviet invasion. Over the years, many turned into long-term settlements hosting multiple generations.

The move follows Pakistan’s broader repatriation drive, launched in 2023 on the grounds of security concerns. That process has continued through 2024 and into 2025, sparking debates on balancing national security with humanitarian responsibility.

Aid agencies have warned that camp closures could worsen the plight of already vulnerable Afghan families, while analysts note that the decision may complicate Pakistan’s ties with the Taliban-led government in Kabul and international humanitarian organisations.

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