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| November 11, 2001 | Sunday | Shaba’an 24, 1422 |
Three relief camps for refugees opened
QUETTA, Nov 10: Pakistan has opened three relief camps near the border town of Chaman for new Afghan refugees, crossing into Pakistan due to the heavy US bombing on different areas of Afghanistan.
“Only vulnerable women, children and old folks are being allowed to enter Pakistan, and will be lodged in these camps”, Mohammad Akbar Durrani, Balochistan additional commissioner for Afghan refugees, said in a Radio news conference here on Saturday.
In reply to a question, he said: “Yes, the Pakistan government has not changed its policy regarding opening of borders for Afghan refugees as allowed in 1979 after Soviet invasion in Afghanistan.”
“Unfortunately, the UNHCR and other relief agencies have forgotten those refugees after the withdrawal of Soviet troops”, Mr Durrani said, adding that keeping in view the bitter experience, the government had decided not to open its borders for all Afghans refugees.
The new refugees will be lodged in the Roghani refugee camp set up around seven kilometre east of Chaman. Two other camps have been established in Darra and Tortanghi areas.
According to the official, around 3,000 refugees, who are currently living at the Killi Haji Faizo temporary protection camp established by the UNHCR close to border with Afghanistan will also be shifted to these camps.
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