Photo: Al Jazeera
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Credibility Assessment
Article includes multiple named returnees as eyewitnesses with direct quotes and a named camp official with specific details on services and numbers. Further verification by AfghanVerified confirms this news to be credible.
At a temporary camp in Torkham for Afghans returning from Pakistan, many recent returnees have reported mistreatment by Pakistani police. They have also requested necessary support and basic services from the Islamic Emirate.
Imran, one of the returnees, stated: "We had good business there, but the police constantly harassed us. They repeatedly came to our home and took the money we had earned."
Another returnee, Aziz Khan, said: "I’m happy to be back in my country. If the government gives me land and work opportunities here, that would be great."
Sadam, head of an eight-member family, said recent difficulties and police mistreatment in Pakistan forced him to return to Afghanistan. He added: "There were loudspeaker announcements in mosques and warnings everywhere telling Afghans to leave. Even our landlord told us the police would arrest us and we should vacate the house."
Officials at the temporary camp in Torkham stated that they provide food to around 15,000 people daily and are fully prepared for a possible increase in returnees. Zahidullah Zahid, head of the Torkham camp services committee, said: "If the number rises to 100,000, we are still ready to provide services, all of which are funded by the Islamic Emirate’s budget."
According to officials, in the past 24 hours alone, 446 families, totaling 2,425 individuals, have returned through Torkham. After receiving basic assistance from the Islamic Emirate and aid agencies, they have been transferred to their respective provinces.
