KOHAT: The traders and activists of welfare organisations have demanded repatriation of the Afghan refugees to their country to help bring down prices of houses and shops, which have gone beyond the reach of locals due to their exorbitant rates.

Talking to Dawn here on Monday, president of Tajir Action Committee Haji Abid demanded of the government to send the Afghans back to their home. He said the refugees were thriving on the smuggled cloth and items of Afghan transit trade and crockery, and were occupying almost the whole markets and bazaars.

Chairman of Sada-i-Kohat Ibrar Lahoti, and of Karwan-i-Kohat Saeed Ahmed said crimes like robberies, drug smuggling and peddling and car-jacking had been on the increase due to the long presence of Afghan refugees in the district. They alleged the Afghans had developed strong bonds with the gangsters.

President of Kohat fruit and vegetable market Fayyaz Khan said more than 70 per cent of fruit and vegetable business was in control of Afghan refugees.

SPORTS GALA: A 10-day sports gala began at the PAF ground in Lachi on Tuesday in connection with the Pakistan Day celebrations. The Pakistan Army, the district administration and sports department are jointly organising the event.

Teams from Lachi, Kohat, Darra Adamkhel and Gumbat tehsils are participating. Women table tennis, netball and badminton matches would also be held.

The finals would be held at the Sports Complex, Kohat.

ILLEGAL HOUSING SOCIETIES: Kohat tehsil municipal officer Amin Gul has issued final notices to owners of a number of illegal housing societies to get registered or face legal action.

He told Dawn that there were over 50 unregistered societies in the tehsil.

FOUR INJURED: Four people were injured when drivers of two public transport vehicles allegedly opened fire on another driver and his conductor over picking of passengers at the Peshawar Road Square on Tuesday.

The cantonment police said injured driver, Momin Khan of Junglekhel, reported that Luqman and Hashim Khan opened fire, injured him and his helper, Mujahid. Two passengers were also injured in the firing.

The injured were shifted to the KDA Teaching Hospital. The police registered a case against the suspects.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2022