ISLAMABAD (PAN): The Afghan embassy in Islamabad on Wednesday asked Pakistani authorities to lift a ban on the movement of Afghan refugees through the Kohat Tunnel that connects southern districts of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province with Peshawar.

The ban on the movement of refugees residing in 20 camps in southern districts through the Japanese-built Friendship Tunnel was imposed in Muharram, putting refugee families in trouble.

Other residents of Kohat, Karak, Bannu, Hangu, Tal, Parachinar and other districts are allowed to travel through the 1.9-kilometre tunnel.

The cultural attaché at the Afghan embassy in Islamabad said refugees had complained of numerous problems resulting from the ban. "We have asked Pakistani officials to lift the ban with immediate effect," Zardasht Shams said.

A spokesman for the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Qaisar Khan Afridi, said Pakistan had assured them of resolving the issue soon.

Security forces said confusion prevailed over the lifting of the ban due to a delay in issuance of a notification by the district administration.

They said though the ban had been lifted on December 9, yet the Afghans were not allowed to pass the tunnel as a precautionary measure to avert security breach.

An Afghan refugee, speaking on condition of anonymity, complained they had thrice tried to cross the tunnel while going to Peshawar, but they were turned back due to the ban.

frm/ma