KARACHI: Authorities, in coordination with police and civic agencies, have demolished more than 1,200 houses vacated by Afghan nationals in the UN-designated Afghan Camp in Sohrab Goth during a five-day operation, officials confirmed on Sunday.
Highlights
- Over 1,200 vacated houses razed in UN-designated Afghan Camp.
- Operation launched to prevent land grabbing, officials say.
- Around 14,000 Afghans have already returned to Afghanistan.
کراچی گلشن معمار افغان بستی میں پانچوں روز بھی آپریشن،پولیس کے مطابق مجموعی طور پر 1200سے زائد مکانات کو مسمار کردیا گیا ہے جبکہ افغان بستی کو مکمل طور پر مسمار کرنے میں دس دن مزید لگ سکتے ہیں#Karachi #afghanbasti #afghancamp #AfghanistanAndPakistan #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/9LiB8smPLF
— Shahid Hussain (@ShahidHussainJM) October 19, 2025
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP-West) Tariq Illahi Mastoi said the operation began on October 15 and targeted structures within the camp area under the Malir Development Authority’s jurisdiction. He added that the action was part of a federal policy aimed at preventing illegal land occupation following the departure of Afghan refugees.
“Initially, law enforcement faced minor resistance from land grabbers, but the operation has since continued smoothly,” SSP Mastoi told reporters, adding that over 3,000 structures were identified for demolition.
According to officials, the Afghan Camp—once the largest settlement for displaced Afghans, housing nearly 30,000 people—saw a major exodus after the federal government initiated repatriation measures last year. Of the 15,680 Afghans who had been residing there recently, 14,296 have returned to Afghanistan, while around 1,384 individuals remain, being repatriated in phases.
The ongoing operation followed a letter by DIG West Irfan Ali Baloch to senior Karachi officials, warning that land mafias were attempting to occupy vacated plots. The DIG proposed forming a special committee comprising representatives from the city administration, police, and development authorities to prevent encroachment and maintain order.
Authorities expect the demolition drive to conclude within the coming days, after which the cleared land will be secured to avoid future encroachments.
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