KARACHI, June 30: The National Aliens Registration Authority will soon embark upon a plan for registration of Afghan refugees so that steps could be taken for the rehabilitation of Afghan refugees.

The authority will compile a data on refugees which would be given to federal and provincial governments and international aid agencies to ensure an early return of the refugees.

It was decided at a meeting held here on Wednesday in pursuance of a decision of the federal cabinet to facilitate the repatriation of Afghan refugees residing in Karachi and other parts of Sindh.

The meeting, presided over by the Sindh Chief Secretary, Javed Ashraf Hussain, was attended by Nazim Naimatullah Khan, home secretary Brig Mukhtar Ahmed, the IGP Sindh, the DG of National Alien Registration Authority, DCO Karachi Shafiqur Rehman Paracha and other senior members.

The meeting discussed in details the recent changes in the geopolitical scenario, especially after the establishment of an interim Afghan government and opening of opportunities for refugees in their own country after heavy inflow of foreign aid and start of massive reconstruction activities.

The meeting decided that the DCO Karachi, with DIGP (operations), will hold meetings with elders of various ethnic groups of Afghanistan and discuss ways and means to facilitate their voluntary return to Afghanistan.

A committee was set up headed by Sindh Home Secretary, and Zila Nazim, City District Government, Karachi, District Coordination Officer, IGP Sindh, Commander ISI, Karachi Region, Joint DG IB, Karachi, Additional Relief Commissioner, Hyderabad and Director-General NARA will be the other members.

The committee will prepare a comprehensive contingency plan after incorporating suggestions and feedback from the DCO Karachi and the relief commissioner.

The relief commissioner will identify areas for the establishment of transit camps and provide details of estimated expenditures, which will be incurred on this exercise.

During the first month of NARA’s working, about 9,000 illegal residents, mostly Afghans got themselves registered.

According to sources in NARA, there are more than half a million unregistered Afghans in Karachi residing in numerous localities, including Shohrab Goth, Shershah, Banaras and Mauripur while those belonging to central and Northern Afghanistan reside mainly in F. B. Area and Garden.—APP/PPI