April 12, 2025
By Islam Gul Afridi
PESHAWAR
Peshawar’s famed ‘Little Kabul’—the bustling Board Bazaar—once thrived with Afghan traders and customers. From daily essentials to authentic Afghan cuisine, the market mirrored the vibrancy of Kabul itself. Today, the streets are eerily quiet.
The ongoing deportation of Afghan refugees has not only uprooted lives but also dealt a severe blow to Peshawar’s economy. Markets like Karkhano, Board Bazaar, Arbab Road, Firdous, and Shaheen Market—once thriving hubs—now face a sharp decline in business.
A market without customers
Cloth merchant, Sulaiman Khan, sits idle in his shop.
“My family came from Afghanistan 40 years ago. We built our business here, but every time a deportation threat arises, our income dries up,” he says.
With over 6,000 shops, Board Bazaar was a lifeline for Afghan traders and local workers alike. Now, business has plummeted by at least half, hitting both communities hard.
“Afghan customers – especially women – are too scared to leave their homes because of police harassment,” another shopkeeper informs.
Stories of struggle
Feroze Shah, a 30-year-old street vendor from Mohmand, sells coconuts and papayas.
“I used to earn a thousand rupees daily. Now, I barely make half of that. Refugees are hiding indoors, and our livelihoods are collapsing,” he says, his voice trembling.
For Afghan shoppers like Gul Nabi, Board Bazaar was more than just a market—it was a slice of home. “I used to come here because everything was affordable and familiar. Now, that’s gone,” he recalls, sadly.
Govt’s hardline stance
Despite so many requests, Pakistan’s Interior Ministry has refused to extend the March 31 deadline for Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders to leave. State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry has announced that even those approved for Western resettlement must depart by April 30 or face deportation.
The government’s policy reveals that around 857,157 undocumented Afghans have already been deported. The minister said there would be no blanket extensions but ‘individual cases’ of Afghan nationals might be reviewed. He said 38 transit centers have been set up to provide temporary shelter, food, and medical aid for Afghan nationals awaiting repatriation, adding that security concerns remained the primary justification for the crackdown.
Traders demand political solution
Local businesses urge the government to stop fear-mongering and find a diplomatic resolution. “Instead of forcing refugees out, why not document them and bring them into the tax system?” a trader argues.
Peshawar’s economy is paying the price for a policy that lacks long-term planning. As Afghan refugees brace for deportation, the city’s markets—once symbols of cross-border commerce—are fading into silence.
“This isn’t just about refugees leaving,” says Sulaiman Khan. “It’s about Peshawar losing a part of its soul.”