The vacated Afghan Camp near Gulshan-e-Maymar has transformed into a hub for theft and criminal activity following the repatriation of thousands of Afghan refugees. Local residents report that criminal groups are now systematically looting the abandoned settlement.
According to community members, thieves are stealing valuable materials like brass, copper, and iron rods from empty houses. Residents recently caught one group red-handed and handed them over to the police. However, they allege the suspects were released shortly after due to a lack of a formal complaint.
Locals have raised serious concerns, suggesting that the thieves operate under the alleged patronage of officials at the local police checkpoint. They claim that while anti-encroachment drives occur during the day, thefts continue unchecked at night.
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Police officials have stated that the suspects were released because no one came forward to register a formal case. They confirmed that the recovered stolen goods remain in police custody.
The concerns are substantiated by an official report from DIG West, Irban Baloch, to the Additional IG, Karachi. The report confirms that land mafia groups have become active in the area, attempting to illegally occupy the vacant land.
The camp, officially known as MDA Land, originally housed 15,680 Afghan nationals. To date, 14,296 individuals have returned to Afghanistan, with the remaining 1,384 to be repatriated in phases. The report warns that the vacuum left by their departure has created an opportunity for criminal encroachment, prompting ongoing police operations to demolish empty houses and prevent illegal occupation.
