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Kabul: Pakistan in order to hide its inefficiency in controlling the terror group Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) whose militants have safe haven in the tribal areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has turned towards Afghans coming into Pakistan for treatment, Afghan Diaspora Network reported.
Pakistan has recently tightened security measures and controls at the border crossings with Afghanistan since TTP has increased terror attacks within Pakistan.
There weren’t many restrictions on the movement along the Torkham border during the initial period of Afghan government overthrow in August 2021. Afghans in need of medical treatment were able to move into Pakistan along with their attendants for visiting hospitals in Peshawar.
For Pakistan, the first two months of 2023 proved to be deadly as major terror attacks claimed more that 100 lives. Both these attacks have targeted the security establishment of Pakistan and have been linked to the home-grown terror organisation Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan has unilaterally decided to restrict the movement of Afghans coming to Peshawar through the Torkham border.
Traditionally, Afghan patients visited hospitals in Peshawar to receive treatment in general medicine, cardiology, gynaecology, and gastroenterology despite the challenges of higher costs, language barriers, and accommodation problems.
Afghan patients have also reported to have been exploited by doctors and translators who charge high fees for laboratory tests, surgery, accommodation, and medication, ANI news quoting Afghan Diaspora Network.
Despite these difficulties, Afghans have been visiting Peshawar due to lack of such facilities in Afghan areas bordering KP. Until recently, Pakistani authorities manning the border has been tacitly allowing movement of Afghans without any serious checks.
