PESHAWAR, Aug 11: Thousands of Afghan refugees are defying orders of the Pakistani authorities to leave camps in the border region which are being closed because of security concerns, representatives said on Thursday. Refugee leaders protested that they need at least two years to move out of the camps bordering Afghanistan’s restive Kunar province which have provided shelter for more than 20 years to Afghans fleeing their war-torn homeland.

“We have set up businesses and purchased property during our stay since the early 1980s,” refugee leader Sher Mohammad said.

“To wind up the businesses and sell our properties we need to stay at least for two years,” he said, calling upon the government to review its decision.

The government has ordered camps in the Bajaur and Kurram agencies to close by August 31 because of ‘security concerns’.

The authorities had earlier taken similar action in the North and South Waziristan regions where security forces have been trying to drive out suspected Al Qaeda and Taliban militants.

Kunar province was the scene of recent clashes in which US-led coalition troops suffered considerable casualties last month. The government gave the refugees the option of returning to their home country or relocating away from the Afghan border.

Refugee leaders meeting in Bajaur’s main town of Khar expressed surprise at the order as Pakistan has hosted them for more than 20 years. More than 105,000 Afghan refugees live in camps in Bajaur and Kurram.— AFP