02 March 2004	Tuesday	10 Muharram 1425

PESHAWAR, March 1: The government and the international community were asked on Monday to ban the production, trade, stockpiling and transfer of anti-personnel landmines to save unwary people from losing their lives or becoming handicapped.

The call was voiced by speakers at a seminar entitled 'Ban mines now, build safe tomorrow'. It was organized by an NGO to mark the anniversary of the Ottawa Convention of 1999.

Speakers said landmines are indiscriminate killers, because they do not discriminate between a combatant and a non-combatant, a child and an adult, and they can strike in war and during peace alike. Landmines are hidden enemies of people.

They blow up those who step on them and most of the victims are children. It is a devilish tool, especially designed not to kill but to disable its victims.

Up to 20,000 people fall victim to landmines every year in 65 countries, said a speaker. Of the 65 countries, he pointed out, there was no conflict in 41, yet the landmines had been haunting people, mostly poor children.

According to one speaker, most of the survivors belong to rural areas. Because of poor transportation and medical facilities there they fail to get proper treatment and remain handicapped for ever.

Citing the landmines' report of 2003, he said that from May 2002 to July 2003, only six countries - India, Iraq, Burma, Nepal, Pakistan and Russia - used landmines on a regular basis. Another speaker said that Fata, especially Bajaur and Kurram Agencies, had the most number of landmine victims.