KHYBER: The district administration has launched a campaign here to “persuade” Afghan families to vacate their homes and return to their country at the earliest.

The campaign began after the police in Bara apprehended some 30 illegal Afghan refugees during a crackdown on Monday.

The detainees were later released at the request of local elders and traders.

On Tuesday, additional assistant commissioner Shahabuddin visited various areas in Landi Kotal, met a number of Afghan families and conveyed to them in a softer tone that they should leave before a crackdown on them was launched.

30 illegal aliens held in Bara before release at request of elders

Officials said that the AAC met Afghan families in Gagra and Sadukhel areas where there was comparatively big concentration of illegal Afghan nationals.

They said that Afghan nationals were informed about strong official resolve about the deportation of all illegal aliens and urged them to opt for a respectful and dignified repatriation as the official deadline had already ended on June 30.

Officials said that they had all required data of all Afghan nationals living in different parts of Khyber tribal district as a comprehensive mapping of their current location was completed a few months ago.

They, however, insisted that the administration had some credible information about relocation of a number of Afghan families in Khyber tribal district after they were expelled from other cities recently.

The officials said that Afghan nationals had no reason whatsoever to continue staying in Pakistan and that they had to leave as soon as possible.

Sources in Bara told Dawn that a delegation of local elders and traders met the district administration and police officials on Monday and sought time for the Afghan nationals residing in Bara to wrap up their businesses.

They said that at least three months’ time was sought for Afghan traders and ordinary citizens to leave Pakistan in phases but officials refused to extend the deadline and insisted on an immediate repatriation.

The sources said that a committee of Afghan and local traders was formed to devise a mechanism for early disposal of all businesses by Afghan traders and their transfer to local businessmen.

Meanwhile, new Khyber DPO Waqar Ahmad held a meeting with elders of Bara on Tuesday to discuss the current law and order situation, eradication of narcotics business, confiscation of unregistered motorcycles and an effective ban on firing in the air and other anti-social activities in Bara.

The elders pledged full support to him for the elimination of drugs and other illegal activities.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2025