ISLAMABAD, Aug 20: A batch of 145 Iraqi refugees residing in Pakistan returned to Baghdad on Friday. Two UAE aircraft airlifted the second batch of refugees to the Iraqi capital on an initiative by the UAE President, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

The United Nations High Commission for Refugees had requested the UAE president to facilitate their return in coordination with the Pakistan government.

The first batch of 37 Iraqis was airlifted in December 2003. UAE's Ambassador Ali Mohammed Al Shamsi supervised the arrangements for the repatriation of the Iraqis. -APP