HYDERABAD, Jun 1: A four-member delegation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees on Saturday discussed the possibility of repatriation of the Afghan refugees, who had taken refugee in the city and its surroundings, with the district coordination officer, Hyderabad, Mir Hussain Ali.

The delegation, which comprised Lejla Helic, Sartja and Munir Abro, was assured by the DCO that the district administration of the city would help the delegation achieve the task.

He informed the delegation that the help of police and revenue departments would also be taken to identify the number of Afghan refugees and their location in Hyderabad and its vicinity.

On the occasion, Lejla Helic informed that 62,000 Afghan refugees had returned to their country from Sindh, of them 110 families had been residing in Hyderabad for last five years.

She said that the Afghan refugees who wished to be repatriated would have to bear transport expenses, however, after they had reached their country, the UNHCR would help.

The secretary of the Red Crescent, Hyderabad, Dr Farooq Memon, who was also present at the meeting, offered financial assistance on behalf of his organisation to those Afghan refugees who desired to go back to their country but he added that his organization cout not offer transportation expenses to the refugees.

The district police officer, Hyderabad, Muazam Jah and the executive district officer, revenue, Hyderabad, Syed Shakeel Haider Naqvi, also assured that their departments would cooperate with the UNHCR and help it achieve the task.

The meeting decided that after identification of the number of Afghan refugees, an office would be established in Hyderabad for the registration of these refugees.—APP