Karachi’s deserted Afghan camp has turned into a center of theft.

Karachi – (Special Correspondent / WEb Desk) – The abandoned Afghan Camp near Gulshan-e-Maymar is said to have become a hub for thievery and criminal activities after thousands of Afghan refugees returned to Afghanistan as part of Pakistan’s campaign to remove illegal foreigners.

According to locals, groups of thieves have been operating in the evacuated settlement with the claimed support of police authorities.

Residents stated they recently caught a bunch of criminals in the act of stealing goods from abandoned houses and loading them into a car.  The suspects were handed over to police, however they were reportedly released immediately after being detained.

They alleged that the gang of thieves belonged to a special party associated with the in-charge of the Afghan Camp police check post.

Police stated that the suspects were released because no complainant came forward to register a case against them. Officials added that the recovered stolen goods are still in police custody.

Karachi Police have launched an operation to demolish hundreds of houses in the Afghan Camp to prevent illegal occupation.

Prices for petroleum in Pakistan from November 1, 2025.

However, locals claimed that during the day, anti-encroachment operations are carried out in the area, but at night, thefts take place unchecked.

Earlier, ARY News reported that after the evacuation of the Afghan camp, land mafia groups have reportedly become active in Karachi, attempting to illegally occupy portions of the vacated land, according to a report submitted by DIG West Irfan Baloch to the Additional Inspector General (IG) Karachi.

According to reports, the Afghan Camp, also known as MDA Land, is within the authority of the Gulshan-e-Maymar Police Station in District West Karachi, as revealed by the DIG. He stated that the neighborhood has 3,117 residential units, including 200 to 250 houses owned by Pakistani families.
DIG Baloch said that before the repatriation process began, the camp housed around 15,680 Afghan nationals. So far, 14,296 Afghan inhabitants have returned to Afghanistan, while 1,384 Afghans remain in the area and are being transferred back in stages.

He warned that after the camp was vacated, land mafia and criminal elements in Karachi had started attempts to illegally occupy and encroach upon the property.