December 6, 2001	Thursday	Ramazan 20, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 5: The UNHCR has expressed alarm over rising tension in Pakistan’s tribal area, along the border with Afghanistan.

Speaking at a news conference, UNHCR spokesperson Maki Shinohara said recent developments inside Afghanistan, in particular the killing of many Taliban fighters last week in the prison battle in Mazar-i-Sharif, seemed to be unsettling the population in the tribal area.

She said there were some fighters who originated from the tribal belt but did not return. “Now there are rumours about a planned revenge,” she said.

The UNHCR field staff has been put on high alert to closely follow the security situation in the tribal area, she said.

The UNHCR is gearing up to begin relocating the non- Pakhtoon refugees from Jalozai to Kurram Agency during the current week, she said. “The provincial authorities feel confident that the refugees will not be at risk there.”

The UN official said the UNHCR urged all parties, both in Pakistan and Afghanistan, to respect the rights and human dignity of those who find themselves in a minority situation due to ethnicity, tribal differences or political views.

“Tensions and hatred between groups are extremely difficult to reverse, especially when violence is committed against a particular group,” she noted.