Afghans returning home from Pakistan under the UN refugee agency's voluntary repatriation programme are informed that the facilitated return process will stop from October 31, due to winter break.
Returnees should not approach the UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Centres (VRCs) in Hayatabad (Peshawar) and Baleli (Quetta) starting November 1, until a further announcement early next year, official told here on Wednesday. He said UNHCR will restart the process of voluntary repatriation of Afghans in Pakistan in March 2008.
UNHCR will keep Afghans informed if there were any further announcements on voluntary repatriation during the winter break, he added. To keep themselves updated on important announcements, Afghans can also tune in to the UNHCR-sponsored radio show on Radio Pakistan, official said.
Meanwhile, Afghans returning home under the voluntary repatriation programme are also informed that the facilitated return process will be temporarily suspended in Pakistan and Afghanistan from October 12 to 16, on account of the Eid holidays.
Returnees are advised not to approach the UNHCR Voluntary Repatriation Centres in Hayatabad (Peshawar) and Baleli (Quetta) and the encashment centres inside Afghanistan - where returning Afghans receive assistance - during Eid Holidays. UNHCR VRCs and the encashment centres will reopen after Eid holidays on October 17, to assist Afghans opting to return to Afghanistan with UNHCR assistance.