Karachi East — In a major operation near Northern Bypass, Karachi, law enforcement agencies demolished over 250 homes in an Afghan refugee settlement using heavy machinery. The operation was led by SSP West Tariq Elahi Mastooi and involved police, revenue officials, MDA, Rangers, and anti-encroachment teams.
Local Sindhi residents protested the demolition, prompting police to use tear gas. Several people were injured, and more than eight were arrested. SSP Mastooi stated that the camp had been vacated by Afghan nationals, and some individuals were attempting to illegally occupy the land.
A letter from DIG West Irfan Baloch to the Karachi Police Chief noted that over 15,000 Afghan nationals had resided in the area, with only around 1,400 remaining. The letter also referenced social media videos encouraging land grabs after the camp was vacated.
Following the operation, activists including Farukh Shah Sarsindi, Comrade Shabbir Rajpar, and Haroon Jamali condemned the action, asserting that Sindhi people are the rightful heirs of the land. They criticized the government for targeting Sindhi residents while ignoring illegal activities by Afghan settlers, calling the move unjust and discriminatory.
They warned that if the government does not change its approach, they will launch a protest campaign and raise their voices at every level.
