Pakistani officials at Chaman border have begun to bar Afghan nationals from entering the country without required documents, as illegal traffic from Afghanistan to Pakistan at different secret routes was reported to be on the rise.
Sadaat Khan, a resident of Qila Abdullah, is one of the eight members of a group that takes people to the other side of the border.
“We use Hi-Ace vehicles to transport around 300-400 people daily from Afghanistan to Pakistan,” Sadaat claims.
The Afghans seeking to escape the ongoing crisis in their country have to pay around 6,000 to 10,000 PKR per person to these transporters.
Haji Luqman, Toba Achakzai, Zhob, Nushki and Dalbandin are among the most common routes for illegal movement between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Afghan Hazaras reach Quetta
Many Hazara families who fled Afghanistan out of fear of the Taliban have reached Quetta. These Hazara families have found temporary shelter in imambargahs of the city’s Hazara Town, with the support of the local community.
According to Abu Turab Volunteers, a Quetta-based group, these families are currently residing in three Imambargahs and are being provided with food as well as medical assistance.
“Around 20 families residing temporarily at Imambargah Shaeed Baba Mizari, are facing many difficulties including financial constraints,” Kashif Hazara, a social activist, told The Friday Times.
Meanwhile, Pakistani officials have started an investigation into the apparent security breach which led to thousand of illegal entries to Pakistan.
Pedestrian movement between Afghanistan and Pakistan at the Chaman border has also dropped to 50 per cent in the last 48 hours, as per Deputy Commissioner Chaman Jumma Dad Tareen.
Over 8,000 people crossed the border on Sunday.
“5,000 Hazara families have crossed the border and reached different cities. 3,000 have arrived in Quetta. We are investigating the security breach, which allowed these families to reach Quetta and other cities without authorisation,” the DC says.
Balochistan Home Minister Mir Zia Langau has warned that those trying to enter Pakistan illegally would be arrested.
What an irresponsible attitude of government functionaries. After 5000 families entered, they waking up. Smells of deep collusion with Zulfi group..