PESHAWAR, Dec 6: Minister of State for Frontier Region Sardar Yar Mohammad Rind said here on Monday that the government was conducting a census of Afghan refugees to obtain authentic figures of the displaced persons.

Talking to refugees during his visit to Azakhel refugee camp, Mr Rind said that his ministry through an agreement with Afghanistan and UNHCR would help facilitate the safe return of all Afghan refugees till 2006.

He said that the census was being conducted to obtain authentic figures about Afghan DPs living in Pakistan.

The first phase of census of Afghan refugees has already begun across the country by the officials of the population and census organization of the federal ministry of population. An identification process of Afghan families, residing in Fata, Punjab, Sindh and NWFP started on Nov 30.