KARACHI, May 17: City Nazim Syed Mustafa Kamal has offered provision of basic facilities to Afghan refugees if they assemble at one pre-determined place.

He made the offer while talking to a UN delegation, led by UN Commission for Refugees head Tahira Gul Afshan, which met him at his office here on Wednesday. They exchanged views on various issues related to refugees.

The nazim said that Scheme-33 was the gateway to Karachi and in this backdrop, a plan was being considered for beautification of the area so that people could see a beautiful city.

He also talked about refugee settlements in some areas of Scheme-33, which was the land of some private societies who wanted development of their land.

“It is our desire that refugees should go back to their country with respect and honour and till then they are kept together at pre-determined place where all basic facilities are provided to them,” he said.

Mustafa Kamal said that the city government could also set up a temporary dispensary for them.

Tahira Gul Afshan informed the nazim that around 135,000 Afghan refugees were settled in Karachi. She said that 100 families went back to Afghanistan every week via Chaman or Lundi Kotal. However, this process could be improved with coordination.—APP