STAFF REPORTER
PESHAWAR :
The Peshawar Brick Kiln Association has demanded that the federal government review its decision regarding the repatriation of Afghan migrants associated with the brick kiln industry and formulate a comprehensive policy in this regard.
Speaking to the media yesterday, President of the Peshawar Brick Kiln Association, Haji Muhammad Jahangir Khan, said that most of the workers and skilled artisans employed at brick kilns are Afghans, and if they are deported, brick kiln owners may suffer losses of millions of rupees.
He said that the federal government has launched an operation for the repatriation of Afghan migrants, due to which labourers and skilled workers employed at brick kilns are also being sent back, pushing the industry towards a critical situation.
Haji Muhammad Jahangir Khan said that millions of rupees owed to brick kiln owners are pending against these workers. Therefore, the government should provide them special relief and, if necessary, introduce a visa and passport system to allow them to continue their work legally.
He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is already lagging behind other provinces due to terrorism. If this industry is affected, thousands of families will become unemployed and the province’s economic situation will further deteriorate.
He urged the Prime Minister, Federal Interior Minister, and other relevant authorities to formulate a comprehensive policy by establishing a clear mechanism for Afghan workers so that they can continue working in Pakistan through legal means.
Leave a Reply