UNITED NATIONS, Nov 22: Pakistan on Wednesday expressed concern about the situation in Afghanistan where millions of externally displaced persons were reluctant to return because of the threat of mines and unexploded ordnance.

The primarily agrarian economy of Afghanistan cannot be rehabilitated until contaminated land is cleared. Similarly, casualties as a result of landmines place an enormous strain on the already overburdened hospital system, and vital emergency and assistance aid is hindered by the presence of mines and unexploded ordnance, Masood Khalid, deputy permanent representative of Pakistan, told the 56th session of the General Assembly.

Mr Khalid said that for the last one decade, “We have been discussing the consequences of the indiscriminate use of landmines which continue to haunt the civilian population in various parts of the world. It is alarming to note that over 60 developing countries, including Afghanistan, Angola, Ethiopia, Burundi, Somalia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, are suffering because of the irresponsible use of landmines as a result of foreign occupation or internal conflicts.”

The delegate pointed out that in Afghanistan alone there were over 10 million landmines scattered all over the country, which was perhaps the largest mine-strewn land in the world. Most of the landmine victims were civilians.

He said Pakistan was particularly concerned because of the casualties resulting due to landmines. The victims were being treated in hospitals in Pakistan, which were already burdened due to the presence of three million Afghan refugees in the country.

The Pakistani delegate invited the General Assembly’s attention to the fact that Pakistan had declared a moratorium on the export of landmines.—APP