November 4, 2001	Sunday	Shaba’an 17, 1422

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ISLAMABAD Nov 3: Japan has expressed its desire to work alongside Pakistan in providing medical and other relief services to Afghan refugees under the “Japan Platform” an umbrella organization of various Japanese NGOs.

This was stated by a three-members visiting Japanese delegation in a meeting with the federal minister for Kashmir affairs, northern areas and state and frontier regions Abbas Sarfaraz Khan on Saturday.

The minister briefed the Japanese delegation on Pakistan government’s policy to deal with the biggest humanitarian crisis of Afghan refugees’ influx.

The minister discussed various issues regarding internally and externally displaced Afghans and the humanitarian assistance which was provided to them in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

He also briefed them on the policy of accepting only vulnerable, war wounded, sick, disabled and orphans below the age of 12 and categorization for their medical treatment.

He said there was a need of medical equipment for diagnosis and treatment, and specially the burn unit for seriously wounded persons.

The minister said that some Pakistani NGOs were working in Afghanistan, evacuating the injured from Jalalabad to the NWFP, and from Kandahar to Quetta and Chaman in the Balochistan province for medical treatment. The minister also underlined the need for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Afghanistan and humanitarian assistance to EDPs.

The Japanese delegation appreciated Pakistan’s efforts in containing terrorism and providing relief to a large number of displaced persons after September 11.

They also appreciated Pakistan’s contribution in dealing with the three million refugees for the last two decades for which Pakistan was paying a tremendous price in terms of economic, environmental, and social problems.

They said that Japan would continue to provide maximum support within their means to Pakistan.