The United Nations refugeeagency said today it would begin moving 19,605 Afghanrefugees from a controversial, makeshift refugee camp on thePakistan border on Monday.
In the first stage, more than 500 refugees will go back toAfghanistan from the so-called "waiting area" where Afghansfleeing the war against the Taliban were stranded when Pakistanbanned the entry of more refugees in February 2002.
The governments of both Pakistan and Afghanistan and therefugee agency agreed last month to shut the area which,situated on a smuggling route, was deemed insecure. UNHCR hasset a July 15th deadline for closing the camp.
Some of the refugees will move to Zhare Dasht camp near thesouthern city of Kandahar. Others will go to the Mohammad Kheilcamp in Pakistan, UNHCR said.