QUETTA: The repatriation of Afghan refugees through the Chaman border has resumed after being suspended for a day following a deadly bombing.
Officials confirmed that the process was halted on Thursday when a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded taxi stand near makeshift shops in the border town, killing six people.
At the time of the blast, a large number of Afghan families were gathered at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, preparing to return to their homeland. Authorities immediately suspended the repatriation process and evacuated the families to ensure their safety.
On Friday, security forces cleared the area and movement was restored. Officials said the entire vicinity was thoroughly checked before allowing Afghan refugees to approach the border crossing point again.
It is pertinent to mention here that the federal government and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan governments had started the latest repatriation and deportation of over 1.3 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards on Sept 1.
Also Read: Balochistan CM orders strict measures on Afghan refugee repatriation
The decision follows the interior ministry’s announcement on July 31 that PoR cardholders — the last category of Afghans legally residing in Pakistan without visas — became unlawful residents after their cards expired on June 30.
Over 1.3 million Afghans in Pakistan possess Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, while another 750,000 are registered under Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC).
Large numbers of Afghans have lived in Pakistan since the 1980s, having fled successive waves of conflict in their homeland.
