Thousands of Afghan refugees defying orders to leave camps

Thousands of Afghan refugees are defying orders to leave camps in border region which are being closed because of security concerns, representatives said on Thursday.
Refugee leaders protested that they need at least two year to move out of the camps bordering Afghanistan's restive Kunar province which have provided shelter for more than 20 years to Afghans fleeing their war-torn homeland.
"We have set up businesses and purchased property during our stay since early 1980s," refugee leader Sher Muhammad said.
"To wind up the businesses and sell our properties we need at least two years to stay," he said calling on the government to review its decision.
The government has ordered camps in the Bajaur and Kurram regions of its semi-autonomous tribal area in NWFP to close by August 31 because of "security concerns."
The authorities had earlier taken similar action in the tribal North and South Waziristan regions.
The government gave refugees the option of returning to their home country or relocating away from the Afghan border.