HARIPUR, March 2: As the voluntary repatriation of Afghan refugees has formally started, the Afghan refugees settled in Haripur are still undecided about leaving for Afghanistan.

Inclement weather owing to frequent snowfalls, coupled with ravaged residential system due to heavy shelling by the coalition forces led by the United States may be the prime reasons hampering the repatriation of the refugees, it was observed during a visit to camps.

The government has, with the consent of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, asked all the Afghan refugees to leave for their homeland if they wish.

Under the scheme, the repatriation would be facilitated by the UNHCR and they were assured of every help and assistance by the government. For this  purpose counters were established at all the exit points close to the Durand Line.

However, according to official sources at the Haripur Afghan Commissionerate, no legal or illegal refugee registered for voluntarily repatriation.

“How can we take our families to Afghanistan in the present circumstances when the weather is not conducive for our shifting, owing to snowfall and torrential rains,” said Azizullah a resident of camp No.16. Justifying his decision of staying in Pakistan till some other opportune time, he said most of the houses were demolished in the Russian invasion, fighting between the warlords and shelling by the coalition forces.

He said that unless the collapsed houses were rebuilt and made inhabitable, the refugees could not return. The construction and repair of houses can begin when the weather improves, said Najibullah, another refugee.

Another refugee said most of the refugees in Haripur belonged to areas where tension prevailed and the weather was not favourable and they would think about leaving in mid June.