November 17, 2002	Sunday	Ramazan 11, 1423

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UNITED NATIONS, Nov 16: Pakistan on Friday expressed its concern over the slow pace of the de-mining operations in Afghanistan affecting the return of Afghan refugees. Addressing the UN General Assembly during the consideration of Agenda Item 28 “Assistance in Mine Action,” the Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan, Masood Khalid, expressed the hope that “the United Nations and the international community would take due note of the precarious situation prevailing in Afghanistan and respond to this emergency on a priority basis.”

Khalid pointed out that in Afghanistan, there are over 10 million landmines scattered all over the country, which is perhaps the largest mine-strewn land in the world.”

“The miseries of the people of Afghanistan are further compounded with the remnants of the unexploded ordnance, following the war against Al Qaeda,” he added.

While lauding the efforts undertaken by the Mine Action Programme for Afghanistan (MAPA) Khalid expressed the hope that the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), which has taken over the responsibility of clearing mines and unexploded ordnance in Afghanistan since June this year, would be able to discharge its duties in a diligent manner.

Khalid said that “Pakistan has actively contributed to the de-mining operations in several affected countries in the past and was also participating in the de-mining operations in Kuwait, Cambodia, Angola, Bosnia and Western Sahara, reflects our commitment.”