KOHAT, April 27: Under the phased repatriation programme of Afghan refugees from 11 camps in the Kohat area, more than 15 per cent of them would be sent to their country in 2003, an official said on Saturday.

The programme would be supervised and funded by the United Nations High Comm-issioner for Refugees and each refugee would get $30, wheat, tent and money for construction of his home in Afghanistan.

Afghan Commissionerate District Administrator Dr Mirza Ali Mahsud said those who would be registered for repatriation would pass through iris scanning at Takhta Beg near Jamrud.

He said 52 families had been repatriated and their houses demolished under UNHCR supervision to discourage them from returning.

He said the repatriation was continuing at the rate of 150 people per week. “They will be given at least $30 depending on the distance between their camps and their villages, 50kg of wheat, soap, plastic tent and an amount for the construction of a house,” Dr Mahsud said.