Since the start of the second phase of the forced expulsion of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, more than 51,000 telecommunications SIM cards have been distributed free of charge.
According to officials from the interim government, each family receives three SIM cards, which include free call minutes and internet packages.
Zabihullah Zaki, head of telecommunications and information technology in Nangarhar, stated:
“So far, 51,370 SIM cards have been distributed. Each registered form is entitled to three SIM cards, either from a single network or from three different networks.”
Imran Momand, a representative of a private telecommunications company, said: “These SIM cards include one gigabyte of internet and 200 free call minutes. Additionally, we provide 50% extra internet on all data packages.”
Wahidullah, a representative from another private telecom company, stated: “These SIM cards come with one gigabyte of internet and 1,500 call minutes, valid for one month.”
Returnees mentioned that receiving these SIM cards at the temporary Omari Camp has somewhat alleviated their problems.
Imran, a deportee from Pakistan, said: “We were expelled from Pakistan under very harsh conditions, and we were treated poorly. Now we have arrived at the Omari Camp in Torkham, where we have been given SIM cards to contact our relatives.”
Samiullah, another deportee from Pakistan, said: “We were returned in very poor conditions. Now, having arrived at the Omari Camp, we have received SIM cards that allow us to contact our families and inform them that we have been sent back to Torkham.”
The expulsion of Afghan migrants holding ACC (Afghan Citizen Card) documents from Pakistan has begun, while the Pakistani government has given migrants holding PoR (Proof of Registration) cards until June 30 of this year to return voluntarily.