PESHAWAR, Oct 13: The row between the Commissionerate of Afghan Refugees (CAR) and the UNHCR over the settlement of new refugees has slowed down the development work on the new sites along the border.

CAR is categorically denying the arrival of new refugees. “The border is completely closed and no one is pouring in. Those who claim themselves as refugees are illegal immigrants,” said a CAR spokesman.

About the progress of work on new sites, he said CAR had started the spadework at Shaloman in Khyber Agency. “We have rented out bulldozers and other machinery for the purpose. Our men are doing the field work. UNHCR teams have visited various tribal areas and selected the present sites.”

However, the officials of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees are not happy over the camp sites being developed on the zero border line. They complain about the remoteness of the area, saying they do not have any direct access from Peshawar.

Last week, a UNHCR official complained at a news conference that there was no drinking water facility around the area. UNHCR wants a new site, but the provincial government is adamant to keep newcomers away from city limits.

Some tribesmen have opposed the settlement of refugees in the tribal agencies for economic reasons.