November 14, 2001	Wednesday	Shaba’an 27, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Tuesday accused the Frontier Corps of interrupting its operations in the Killi Faizo refugee camp at the Chaman border.

Speaking at a news conference, a UNHCR spokesperson said that UN refugee agency staff was working to clarify conflicting statements by the government and the military officials as the tired and desperate Afghans in Killi Faizo awaited their transfer from the exposed border camp.

“The local Frontier Corps commander at Chaman has said that no new arrivals will be allowed into Killi Faizo for pre-registration,” the UNHCR said.

At the same time, the UNHCR said, Balochistan home secretary had asked the UN refugee agency to shelter Afghan refugees living in Quetta and other urban areas at Roghani camp without making any commitment that transfer of desperate Afghans from Killi Faizo be continued.

The spokesperson said that the authorities insisted that Killi Faizo’s more than 3,000 Afghans be relocated in one group to the newly established Roghani camp, some 16km away. However, the UNHCR insists that Roghani lacks sufficient latrines for such a large group to be transferred overnight.

According to the UNHCR, Frontier Corps on Monday night refused to let the agency pre-register or even temporarily shelter some 300 persons, who had recently entered Pakistan.

The troops permitted one malnourished child into Killi Faizo’s MSF administered health centre for daytime treatment, but he had to leave the compound at night, the UNHCR said.