QUETTA, Feb 26: The government has informed Afghan refugees that their camps in Balochistan would be closed in a few months and that the decision has been taken for security reasons.

In this regard, BBC quoted UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch as saying that the government had asked refugees living in Gardi Gengal and Gengal Pir Alizai camps to return to Afghanistan because these camps would be closed on April 30.

During a meeting of the sub commission of Pakistan, Afghanistan and UNHCR it was decided to close refugee camps, he added.

The refugees have been given option to either voluntarily return to Afghanistan or shift to Muhammad Khel camp if they have any problem in returning to their country, he said.

Meanwhile, chief of Afghan Refugees Affairs in Islamabad, Imran Zeb, said that the government was closing these camps for security reasons because several suspects were hiding there.

It may be recalled that there are ten other camps in Balochistan where more than two lakh refugees are living. —Online