Repatriation of Afghan DPs in full swing

The UNHCR-assisted voluntary repatriation of registered Afghans is in full swing and a large number of Afghans approaching Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs).
Registered Afghans who choose to voluntarily repatriate with UNHCR assistance must go to UNHCR pre-scheduling centres in Peshawar and Quetta, where they will be given a departure date before they can approach the VRC, official told here Tuesday.
He said that Afghans approaching the pre-scheduling centres must bring their own and family members' Proof of Registration (PoR) Cards issued by the government after registration.
They must also bring visible colour photographs of the family. UNHCR will not process Afghans without PoR cards, he added. The official said that PoR-holding Afghans in NWFP and Balochistan must go through pre-scheduling and will not be processed if they approach the VRCs directly. Those from Sindh, Punjab and AJK can approach the VRCs directly.
He said that registered Afghans returning to Afghanistan with UNHCR assistance will get an average of $100 per individual as a transport and re-integration grant to help them settle in Afghanistan.
Iris verification for returnees aged five years and above is mandatory for UNHCR assistance, he said. PoR cards will be de-registered at the VRCs by Pakistan's National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) before their departure for Afghanistan, he added. Following are the UNHCR Pre-scheduling Centres and Voluntary Repatriation Centres' addresses and work timings in Pakistan: NWFP Pre-Scheduling: Families living in Peshawar, Nowshera and Charsadda districts, Khyber and Mohmand agencies are required to pre-schedule and obtain their departure date by approaching Hayatabad VRC.
Families from Punjab, AJK, Sindh and the remaining districts of NWFP can directly proceed to the Hayatabad VRC along with their family members, PoR cards and family photographs.
They will be processed on the same day if they reach the VRC during opening hours. Group of more than 10 families should contact the nearest District Administrator (DA) for departure dates, who would then co-ordinate with UNHCR. NWFP VRC: The Hayatabad VRC (opposite Katchagari camp in Peshawar) is open 07:00-15:00 hours every day except Fridays and Saturdays.
Balochistan Pre-Scheduling: UNHCR Pre-Scheduling Centre Ghousabad (Quetta) is open Monday to Friday (08:30 - 15:00 hours). UNHCR Pre-Scheduling Centre Sabzal Road (Quetta) is open Monday to Friday (08:30 - 15:00 hours).