ISLAMABAD: The federal government has issued a formal notification for the closure of Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan, indicating a vital policy decision in order to address long-standing national security and socio-economic concerns.
In this regard, the decision, explained as both historic and in the national interest, directs that all refugee camps across the province be dismantled.
The land and assets of these facilities will be handed over to the Government of Balochistan for future use.
In this sense, the government officials focused on the fact that the move indicates the state’s commitment to sovereignty, security, and the protection of local communities.
Furthermore, the presence of Afghan refugee camps in Balochistan has been a subject of debate and concern for decades, with consistent calls from political leaders, tribal elders, and civil society for their closure.
In addition, the federal government further clarified that the transition of camp properties to the provincial authorities will be carried out in an orderly and legal manner.
This transfer is expected to open opportunities for local development projects, land management initiatives, and improved security mechanisms in affected areas.
Meanwhile, the closure of the camps also signals a shift in federal refugee policy, aligning with regional security imperatives.
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However, government representatives reasserted that the decision does not diminish Pakistan’s humanitarian commitments but underlines the need to balance compassion with national interests.
