Pakistan Currently Playing Host To Over 3 Mln. Afghans

Pakistan is currently playing host to over 3 mln. Afghans. This data was disclosed in a joint report issued by the Pakistani Ministry of States, Northern Areas, Frontier Regions and Kashmir Affairs and authorities of the North-West Frontier Province. This report contained no information about the number of people who are living outside refugee camps in the Balochistan Province in South-Western Pakistan. According to the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) office, approximately 65,000 Afghans have fled to Pakistan since September 11th. UN experts forecast that the US military operation may cause the exodus of another million Afghans in the near future. The Pakistani border with Afghanistan is currently closed to prevent the flow of refugees. Authorities are granting access "based on humanitarian concerns" only to women with children, the sick and the elderly. Nevertheless, thousands of Afghans have escaped to Pakistan via unguarded mountainous passes. Islamabad has not yet decided whether to receive new refugees. At the same time, another 10 temporary refugee camps have already been set up in the frontier territories. Pakistan will establish 28 such camps in the North-West Frontier Province and in the province of Balochistan.