Closure of Camps in Pak-Afghan Border Areas - Lets hope for the best...

Pakistan, Afghanistan finalise camp closure plans: Sardar Rind
The News, February 7, 2007

ISLAMABAD: Four Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan’s border provinces will be closed this year as part of both government’s plans to manage the Afghan population in Pakistan that also include new return modalities starting in spring 2007.

Addressing a joint press conference here Wednesday Minister of States and Frontier Regions (SAFRON) Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind said that the decision was reached at the 12th Tripartite Commission meeting held here among Pakistan, Afghanistan and the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Afghanistan's Minister for Refugees and Repatriation Ustad Muhammad Akbar Akbar, UNHCR's representative in Pakistan Guenet Guebre Christos, senior officials of Ministry of SAFRON and UNHCR were also present.

Talking to media persons, Sardar Yar Muhammad Rind who oversees refugees issues noted that the four camps would be closed this summer.

Katchagari and Jungle Pir Alizai will be closed by June 15,while, Jalozai and Girdi Jungle will be closed by August 31 this year, he added.

The Minister said affected Afghans will be given a choice between voluntary repatriation assisted by UNHCR and - for those who can not return in the immediate future - relocation to existing camps in Pakistan.

About ongoing registration process of Afghans population in the country, he said over 2.1 million had already been registered adding the exercise was near completion.

"Registered Afghans are given Proof of Registration (PoR) cards with a validity of three years that will be linked to new return modalities starting this spring", Sardar Rind added.

Under the new arrangement, PoR holders who wish to repatriate must deregister their card before leaving Pakistan in order to receive an enhanced reintegration package when they arrive in Afghanistan, the Minister added.

To a question about Afghans without PoR, he said they will be subject according to the laws of the land, adding, they will be given only grace period of six weeks if they wish to avail of UNHCR assistance.