ISLAMABAD, 30 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Tens of thousands of Afghans living in and around the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, not being residents of registered refugee accommodation, are uncertain about their future, as the government deadline for them to either return to Afghanistan or move out of their homes draws nearer. The Pakistani authorities announced earlier this month that they want the Afghans to relocate by 15 September. Full report

ISLAMABAD, 25 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - More than 2.5 million Afghan refugees would like to continue living in Pakistan beyond 2005, according to a detailed census report released on Wednesday by Pakistani authorities, in conjunction with the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Full report

LAHORE, 24 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Fifty-two-year-old Anwari Mai keeps an old black and white photograph of her son on the kitchen shelf of her house in the tiny village where she lives with her family, close to the industrial town of Gujranwala in the central Pakistani province of Punjab. Full report

LAHORE, 23 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have launched a ground breaking campaign using cricket to focus on girls' right to education and sports.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 23 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Islamabad intends to adhere to a timetable of closures of various Afghan refugee camps and settlements across the country, a government official said on Tuesday, responding to reports that extensions were being considered to allow camp residents time to leave in safety and with dignity.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 23 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Rights activists in Pakistan have hailed increased participation by women in last week's local elections. "For the first time in the country's history, civil society groups, rights activists, media and other bodies have come up with a collective campaign for women electoral rights," Naeem Mirza, a project director with a leading women rights' body, the Aurat Foundation, said in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad on Monday.Full report

LAHORE, 18 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Hundreds of Christian residents in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore may be forced off their land in the face of soaring land values. The area, known as Yohanabad-II, was established in 1998 on the outskirts of the city as a model village but rumours of planned redevelopment of adjacent areas have created a problem for residents.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 8 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Pakistani authorities have announced the closure of over 30 Afghan refugee camps by the end of August, citing security concerns. All are located in Kurram and Bajaur agencies in the western tribal belt of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan. The move is a further step in the continuing policy of camp closures. Full report

ISLAMABAD, 5 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - Plans to evict Afghan refugees still living in the Pakistani capital and the adjacent city of Rawalpindi are still being worked out, following a formal announcement of the move earlier this week.Full report

ISLAMABAD, 4 Aug 2005 (IRIN) - The Pakistan chapter of the UK-based international NGO, Oxfam, has recently begun broadcasting a radio series aimed at raising public awareness of honour killings. In general, women fall victim to a variety of assorted crimes carried out under the common name of 'honour' across the country, argue rights activists.Full report

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