Afghan camp was established in 1984 on more than 200 acres of govt-owned land, containing about 3,000 housing units
MDA officials’ begun demolishing homes after the repatriation of thousands of Afghan nationals from the Afghan Camp in Karachi on October 15. Photo: INP
As tensions between neighboring countries escalate, land grabbers swiftly moved in to occupy the homes and shops of Afghan nationals who had been repatriated from Karachi’s Gulshan-e-Maymar Afghan Refugee Camp.
The families left on an emergency basis, triggering a large-scale anti-encroachment operation. The repatriation of Afghan refugees from the camp led to a confrontation when squatters, accompanied by women and children, began moving into the vacated houses.
The operation, launched by various civic and law enforcement agencies, turned violent when illegal occupants resisted and attacked police officers with stones. In response, authorities used baton charges and detained several suspects.
During the day-long operation, dozens of unoccupied houses were demolished. The operation was carried out jointly by the Malir Development Authority (MDA), Anti-Encroachment Department, Police, Rangers, Deputy Commissioner (West), and Revenue officials.
Land mafia seizes vacant homes
Witnesses reported that as Afghan families prepared to return to their homeland, organised land mafia groups and miscreants began claiming the vacated homes.
These groups spray-painted ownership marks on walls and moved in with household items. In some areas, groups—including women and children—set up barriers to block police entry, even setting fires to deter demolition teams.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Afghan families continued loading their belongings onto trucks bound for Afghanistan. Others were seen selling household goods at very low prices, attracting large crowds of local buyers. Labourers were also seen extracting steel rods and materials from demolished structures.
Joint operation to clear state land
Authorities launched an operation early Wednesday morning, using heavy machinery to remove illegal constructions from more than 200 acres of government-owned land. This land contains around 3,000 housing units. Officials stated that the operation will continue until all unauthorized structures are razed.
MDA Director of State and Enforcement Mohammad Farooq Bugti explained that the operation was part of a broader government policy linked to the Afghan repatriation.
“The Afghan camp was established in 1984 after the war. Now, under federal policy, Afghan nationals are being repatriated. Over 50% of the 3,000 houses have already been vacated, and the remaining will be cleared soon,” he said.
He emphasised that the land belongs to the state and must be returned to government control. “There were some clashes between police and land grabbers who tried to create law and order problems, but the joint forces acted swiftly to restore control,” he added.
Law enforcement response
West SSP Tariq Elahi Mastoi stated that the operation was in line with national policy. “For over five decades, Pakistan has hosted our Afghan brothers, sharing our homes, land, and food,” he said. “Now, in accordance with the new policy, they are being repatriated with dignity.”
Mastoi also mentioned that of the approximately 15,000 registered Afghan refugees who once lived in the camp, more than 8,000 have already returned to Afghanistan.
“The vacated houses are being demolished as they were illegally constructed on state land. No major protests have been reported, as the residents were informed about the policy,” he added.
West Anti-Encroachment SHO Shayan Anjum explained that once Afghan families began leaving, land mafia groups tried to take over. “They spray-painted the walls and attempted to claim ownership. We received complaints on Tuesday night, and by 6 am Wednesday, the operation was underway,” he said.
He confirmed that over 250 houses and permanent structures had been demolished so far. “Around 1,300 Afghan residents remain, pending verification or short-term extensions,” he added. The land, part of MDA’s Taiser Town ballot sector, cannot be privately occupied.
“The situation was chaotic, with several groups dividing plots among themselves. However, the operation has restored control, and more demolitions will follow,” Anjum concluded.
As the state enforces its repatriation policy and reclaims public land, Karachi’s decades-old Afghan refugee settlement is rapidly emptying. Although about 1,300 Afghans remain in the area, officials expect the camp to be completely vacated soon. This will mark the end of one of the city’s largest and longest-running refugee communities.
