Pakistan

Mine Ban Policy

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has not acceded to the Mine Ban Treaty. While expressing support for the goal of eventual elimination of antipersonnel mines, Pakistan continues to insist that mines are essential to its national defense at this time. In April 2007 a Foreign Ministry official reiterated that “the regional security environment and its military requirements have constrained Pakistan from joining the Ottawa Treaty. However, Pakistan continues to scrupulously adhere to a policy…which ensures that mines in its inventory will never become a cause for civilian casualties anywhere, and this position is in line with the basic objectives of the Ottawa Treaty.”^[1]

Pakistan abstained from voting on the December 2006 pro-treaty UN General Assembly Resolution 61/84, as it had on all previous annual UNGA resolutions. In explaining its vote, it stated, “Pakistan remains committed to pursue the objectives of a universal and non-discriminatory ban on anti-personnel mines in a manner which takes into account the legitimate defence requirements of States. Given our security compulsions and the need to guard our long borders, not protected by any natural obstacle, the use of landmines forms an important part of our self-defense strategy. As such, it is not possible for Pakistan to agree to the demands for the complete prohibition of anti-personnel landmines till such time that viable alternatives are available.”^[2]

Pakistan sent observers to the Seventh Meeting of States Parties to the Mine Ban Treaty in Geneva in September 2006, but did not make any statements. It has not attended any intersessional Standing Committee meetings since 2002.

Pakistan is party to the Convention on Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Amended Protocol II. It exercised an option to defer implementation of key technical provisions in the protocol for a nine year period. Pakistan attended the Eighth Annual Conference of States Parties to Amended Protocol II in November 2006, and submitted its annual report required by Article 13 on 10 November 2006. Pakistan has not ratified CCW Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War. It has stated that it is in the process of doing so, and that Pakistani law requires that at the “cessation of hostilities ERW are marked, removed and eventually destroyed.”^[3]

Government Plans to Mine Border

In December 2006 Pakistan stated its intention “to fence and mine some selective sections of the 2400 kilometer long Pak-Afghan border.”^[4] Pakistan said this was necessary to prevent cross-border militant activity. This announcement was met with strong opposition from the UN, Afghanistan, numerous other governments, the ICBL and Pakistani NGOs.^[5] In response to significant international alarm, Ambassador Munir Akram wrote a letter to the UN Secretary-General stating, “Amended Protocol II of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons, to which Pakistan is a Party, permits the use of landmines or other measures to address the legitimate security requirements of States while addressing humanitarian concerns.”^[6]

The announcement was also criticized internally. Two former chiefs of Inter-Services Intelligence, retired Generals Hameed Gul and Asad Durrani, opposed the decision. General Durrani stated, “This is impractical. It cannot be mined. It cannot be covered by observation and fire and if that is not done, they [fences and mines] do not serve their purpose, they can be breached.”^[7] Numerous parliamentarians expressed their concerns and suggested revisiting the plan.^[8] The political parties Jamat-e-Islami (JI) and Awami National Party (ANP) in separate press conferences rejected the plan and said it would worsen relations with Afghanistan.^[9] ICBL members in Peshawar carried out extensive activities in opposition to the plan.

On 11 January 2007 the ICBL wrote a public letter to the Pakistan’s President, General Pervez Musharraf, which urged Pakistan to abandon immediately the proposal of laying mines along its border with Afghanistan.^[10] In a 7 April 2007 reply to the ICBL, Pakistan stated, “Mining of the border, even though very limited, will be worked out as a last resort to augment measures we have already taken for preventing crossings by militants.”^[11]

On 10 April 1007 a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official told Landmine Monitor, “We have not received any ‘better alternatives’ so that we should drop this idea to mine and fence the border. This is still an open option for us.”^[12] In May 2007 Pakistan started fencing some areas of the border. As of June 2007 there were no reports or indications that Pakistan had planted any new landmines on the border with Afghanistan.^[13]

Canada sent a Border Region Assessment Mission to Pakistan in mid-February 2007, following a January visit to the country by Canadian Foreign Minister Peter McKay. The mission examined how Canada might work with Pakistan, Afghanistan and other international partners to find comprehensive solutions to stabilize the border region. The mission developed a number of recommendations, and as of June 2007, Canada was engaged in discussions with Pakistan and Afghanistan on ways to bring effective border management to the region.^[14]

NGO Activities

ICBL members Sustainable Peace and Development Organization (SPADO) and Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme (CAMP) jointly launched Landmine Monitor Report 2006 at the Peshawar Press Club.^[15]

From December 2006 to March 2007 SPADO organized several advocacy events aimed at increasing opposition to the border mining proposal and increasing support for the landmine ban. In December 2006, SPADO organized a seminar attended by media, NGOs and religious representatives and students, which was followed by two media orientation sessions to educate journalists about the global problem of landmines, the situation in Pakistan and the ICBL.^[16] In February 2007, SPADO organized a national youth seminar in Lahore. SPADO also organized a 10-year anniversary event in Islamabad on 1 March 2007 titled, 1997-2007: Ten Years of the Mine Ban Treaty, A Success in Progress.^[17] Also in March, SPADO organized a workshop on the Role of Religious Scholars in Banning Landmines in collaboration with Department of Islamic Studies at the University of Peshawar. The religious scholars passed a resolution stating that since antipersonnel mines can kill and maim civilians, therefore Islam does not allow their use, and the government should not use landmines along the border with Afghanistan.^[18]

Use, Production, Transfer and Stockpiling

Despite the announcement regarding potential mining of the Afghan border, Landmine Monitor did not receive any allegations of new use of antipersonnel mines by Pakistani armed forces in 2006. In its November 2006 CCW report Pakistan states, “No new minefields were put in place in the period covered.”^[19]

Pakistan is one of a small number of countries still producing antipersonnel mines.^[20] Since January 1997 Pakistan Ordnance Factories has produced detectable versions of hand-emplaced blast mines, in order to be compliant with CCW Amended Protocol II.^[21] Pakistan has not revealed any further information on a remotely-delivered antipersonnel mine system it announced in 2002.^[22]

Pakistan’s Statutory Regulatory Order No. 123 (1) of 25 February 1999 makes the export of antipersonnel mines illegal.^[23] Pakistan claims that it has not exported mines “since early 1992.”^[24] In the past, the country was a major exporter of landmines. Pakistani-made mines are found in Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sri Lanka and other locations.

There is no official information available on the size of Pakistan’s antipersonnel mine stockpile. Landmine Monitor has estimated that Pakistan stockpiles at least six million antipersonnel mines, the fifth largest total in the world. Pakistan has stated that by December 2007 all stockpiled low metal content mines would be modified and made detectable to be compliant with CCW.^[25] As of late 2006 Pakistan had not completed the modifications.^[26]

Pakistan reported in 2005 and 2006 that the Pakistan Army Ordnance Corps “destroys a large number of outdated mines every year.”^[27] Information about the quantity or types of mines destroyed has not been made available.

Pakistani armed forces are regularly reported to seize weapons, including antipersonnel mines, during counter-insurgency operations. Officials have stated that Pakistan destroys confiscated mines.^[28] However, no information is publicly available on the number of confiscated mines or their country of origin.

Non-State Armed Groups

In the province of Baluchistan and in the Waziristan agencies of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), non-state armed groups (NSAGs) continued to use antipersonnel mines, antivehicle mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) against Pakistani armed forces and state administration agencies, and in inter-tribal conflict.^[29]

Pakistan’s November 2006 Article 13 report states “During the on going war on terror, the terrorists have several times used mines and improvised explosive devices against army personnel and civil administration. The Corps of Military Engineers continues to assist both military and civil authorities in defusing and clearing such devices.”^[30]

Pakistani authorities acknowledged that some landmines continued to arrive in Pakistan from sources in Afghanistan.^[31] Baluchi tribal elders maintain that landmines are smuggled from clandestine sources in Afghanistan to Waziristan, and then to some districts in Baluchistan.^[32] Owais Ghani, the governor of Baluchistan, and others, have said that NSAGs in Baluchistan acquire weapons, including mines, from foreign sources.^[33]

Non-state armed groups in Baluchistan and FATA can acquire landmines on the clandestine market in the tribal areas, and also from Dara Adam Khel.^[34] A decree banning public sale of landmines in Dara Adam Khel carries a penalty of 20,000 Rs (US$330).^[35]

In North and South Waziristan agencies of FATA, local tribal elders, journalists and others told Landmine Monitor that each of the 35 tribes and sub-clans living along the Durand line and in North Waziristan have kept their own stockpiles of landmines, among other weapons, since the time of Afghan-Soviet conflict.^[36] A knowledgeable journalist said that the Pakistani Taliban in North and South Waziristan agencies, and also other NSAGs, pay high prices for these locally stockpiled landmines, or receive them out of sympathy for their cause. He said Pakistani Taliban and other militant tribes also have the technical expertise and access to certain materials (explosives and detonators) to produce explosive devices.^[37]

Baluchistan

Non-state armed groups in the province of Baluchistan are active in the districts of Dera Bugti, Barkhan, Kohlu, Musa Khel and Naseerabad.^[38] In 2006-2007 the Baluchistan Liberation Army (“Parraris”^[39]), anti-establishment elements and criminals used landmines and IEDs in 2006 and 2007. They have usually targeted government infrastructure and outposts of the Pakistan Army and the Frontier Corps, but civilians have also been killed and injured.

Baluchistan Liberation Army combatants can produce high explosive antivehicle IEDs, and have frequently posted videos of their attacks on Pakistani military convoys on the internet, including in May 2007.^[40] A police superintendent informed Landmine Monitor that Baluchi militants trade landmines to other groups for inter-tribal conflicts.^[41]

In November 2006 one soldier was killed and another wounded when Baluchi insurgents attacked a security force clearing landmines laid by militants in the Kahan area of Kohlu district, about 430 kilometers east of the provincial capital, Quetta.^[42]

North and South Waziristan

Landmine Monitor was told during its field research in North and South Waziristan agencies in April 2007 that during the past year the Political Agent had by decree prohibited sales of landmines, and landmines could no longer be purchased openly in local arms shops and markets.^[43]

The Wazir and Mahsud tribes have continued to use antipersonnel mines in both Waziristan agencies. These tribes and their sub-tribes have frequently used landmines, and command-detonated and victim-activated IEDs, against government forces and each other.^[44]

Conflict escalated significantly in this region during the year. While in early 2006 an alliance of the local tribes, foreign militants and Islamic students eager for jihad had jointly undertaken armed activities against the Pakistani state, in 2007 the situation altered as Lashkars (Pashtun militia or war parties) formed to attack foreign militants and Afghan Taliban.^[45]

Landmines and IEDs have been used in family and personal feuds, tribal clashes and sectarian violence, particularly in the Aurakzai, Kurram and Bajaur agencies of FATA.^[46] Antipersonnel mines widely used in FATA reportedly include the Pakistan-manufactured P2 Mk2 blast mine, the remotely delivered PFM-1 blast mine, Soviet PMN, PMD-6 and M46 bottle mines, and other mines manufactured by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.^[47]

There were no reports of mine use by Kashmiri armed groups within Pakistan.

Landmine and ERW Problem

Pakistan has repeatedly affirmed that it “faces no problem of uncleared mines.”^[48] It has also stated “mines have never caused humanitarian concerns in Pakistan, despite having fought three wars with India and…[a] military standoff during 2001-2002.”^[49] There is evidence, however, that Pakistan is affected by both landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW); this evidence includes the occurrence of mine/ERW casualties, which were substantially higher in 2006.

Pakistan has declared that mines it laid on the Indo-Pakistan border during the 2001-2002 stand-off with India “have been completely cleared.” It has also claimed that: “minefields laid along the Line of Control (LoC) are properly fenced and clearly marked to impose requisite caution on civilians living in the surrounding areas.”^[50] However, inhabitants of Pakistani-administered Kashmir say that some areas along the Line of Control are still contaminated and have not been properly fenced by the militaries of either India or Pakistan.^[51] Inhabitants of Garhi Sher Khan in Poonch district, responding to a Landmine Monitor questionnaire, said that villages on both sides of the Line of Control were contaminated by mines and ERW and further that rainfall caused mines to drift from areas on the Indian side that were at a higher altitude.^[52]

The government has acknowledged that a mine problem does exist from “landmines left by Soviet troops on Pak-Afghan border…”^[53] The contamination dates from the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan (1979-1989), when mines were scattered by Soviet and Afghan forces from helicopters and the mujahideen used mines to protect their bases in the tribal areas.^[54] The government also acknowledges that “in the ongoing war on terror, the terrorists have several times used mines and improvised explosive devices against army personnel and civil administration.”^[55]

Inhabitants of North and South Waziristan agencies of the FATA say that training camps formerly used by mujahideen were still in use by non-state armed groups, and that the area around these camps was contaminated with mines emplaced by the NSAGs as well as by mines dating back to the Afghan-Soviet war. Known camps included Zavar, Ghulam Khel, Mada Khel Wazir and Shawal in North Waziristan, and Bermal, Azam Warsak and Shakai in South Waziristan. Inhabitants of the two provinces said mine incidents still occurred.^[56]

In Baluchistan, areas known to be mined include Naseerabad, Dera Bugti, Jafarabad, Kohlu, Barkhan and Rait on the Afghan border near Spin Boldak in Chaman district.^[57] Other areas which have a mine problem include Mekhter and Chambalang, near the Loralai district border, which are affected by Pushtun and Baluch tribal disputes over coal resources. Kirbag, the homeland of the Mari Baluchi tribe, is also mine-affected.^[58]

Reportedly, mines have been planted by NSAGs near insurgent camps and along roads, including 160 kilometers of road from Modh to Kahaan.^[59] The sides of roads leading to coal mines in Marwar, Margat, Maror and Indus in Bolan district have also been mined.^[60] In February 2006 a district coordination officer warned people against traveling on roads in Dera Bugti until mines could be cleared.^[61]

The mine problem in FATA and Baluchistan appears to have been exacerbated by widespread availability of landmines and their continuing use, as well as use of IEDs, in local conflicts.^[62]

Mine Action

Pakistan has no formal civilian mine action program. Mine and ERW clearance is carried out by engineer units of the armed forces. Pakistan’s paramilitary Frontier Constabulary has also undertaken demining operations in Kashmir.^[63] The government asserts that “regular lectures are given to troops and officers during on the job training in the units operating/ deployed in the border area with Afghanistan as well as India.”^[64]

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has disclosed plans to establish a Training Center for Demining and Awareness to act as a mine action center for operations in Pakistan and overseas, and to provide mine risk education in mine-affected areas of Pakistan; the plans are subject to the availability of funding.^[65]

In February 2007, the Pakistan Army was reported to have cleared 200 landmines from the Chamalang coalfield in Loralai district after dispute over the possession of Chamalang between Marri and Luni tribes led to the laying of mines. The clearance operation was reported completed without any deminer casualties.^[66]

On the border with India army engineer units were reported in 2004 to “have ensured complete mine clearance.”^[67] However, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs official acknowledged early in 2006 that some areas near the Line of Control remain uncleared, but are properly marked and civilians are not allowed to enter.^[68] Also acknowledging that some mined areas remain, Pakistan’s latest CCW Article 13 report stated that, “Minefields laid along the Line of Control (LoC) are properly fenced and clearly marked.”^[69] Experts have warned that mines may have shifted as a result of the 8 October 2005 earthquake and landslides in Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province. Thousands of people living near the Line of Control have reportedly migrated to safer areas.^[70]

The road between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar in Kashmir was opened in April 2005 as a confidence-building measure, following demining operations.^[71] In April 2006 Pakistan and India reaffirmed their commitment not to develop any new defense posts and defense works (landmines) along the Line of Control.^[72]

Mine Risk Education

In its 2006 CCW Article 13 report, Pakistan again stated that “civilians residing in area contiguous to Indo-Pak border, which is likely to be mined during any future escalation, were educated on the mines, minefields, and the safety precautions.” Also, “members of municipal authorities regularly visited different colonies/small villages close to border with India and Afghanistan, and delivered lectures to the parents and elders.”^[73]

In November 2006, Pakistan acknowledged the role of NGOs in conducting mine risk education (MRE), mentioning the Pakistan Campaign to Ban Landmines (PCBL) and Community Motivation and Development Organization (CMDO) which both endeavored “to educate repatriating Afghan refugees regarding safety and protection measures” on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.^[74] However, by the end of 2006 neither PCBL nor CMDO were conducting MRE in Pakistan’s mine-affected areas.^[75] The 2006 CCW Article 13 report also reiterated that, “Army engineers have launched a comprehensive programme to educate the locals of border belt with Afghanistan regarding the hazards posed by mines.” ^[76]

NGOs providing MRE in 2006 included Response International UK (RI) through its local partner CMDO and another British NGO, Islamic Relief, assisted by Mines Advisory Group.^[77] Both MRE projects were completed in 2006, and no new MRE projects were launched by NGOs during the reporting period in mine-affected areas of the FATA.^[78]

In Pakistani-administered Kashmir, RI continued its MRE project in Rawalakot district, focusing on Hajira and Abbaspur which border the Line of Control. As of 2007 this was the only remaining NGO MRE project in Pakistan. The project was designed to leave residual capacity in affected communities through development and training of community-based organizations. It aimed to provide 150,000 people with ERW risk avoidance education, both directly and indirectly, during the two year project. Priority was given to communities near the Line of Control. A basic Knowledge, Attitude, Practice and Behavior survey was conducted by RI and materials were developed from the survey data and field tested prior to implementation in February 2006. Messages were said to be delivered in an “understandable, socially acceptable and persuasive manner,” in part through the use of the Pahari and Urdu languages, which are both used extensively in the area. Twelve community-based organizations were formed and trained to provide ERW risk avoidance to target communities on a long-term basis; they also identified mine/ERW survivors requiring assistance. In 2006, two training of trainers sessions were conducted for 41 male and 36 female participants from 39 organizations in Hajira and Abbaspur. From February 2006 to June 2007 MRE was delivered to 52,532 people (23,413 male and 29,119 female), including 17,498 schoolchildren.^[79]

Landmine/ERW Casualties

In 2006 there were at least 488 new casualties from mines, ERW and IEDs in Pakistan, with 203 killed and 285 injured, including at least 37 women and 50 children. This is a significant increase from 2005 (214 casualties) and 2004 (195 casualties).^[80] Approximately half the casualties were civilian and males constituted 88 percent (427) of casualties; among child casualties there were 26 boys and 24 girls. Antivehicle mines posed the greatest threat to both civilians and military personnel, accounting for 51 percent (249) of casualties; antipersonnel mines were responsible for 29 percent (141), victim-activated IEDs 18 percent (86) and ERW two percent (12) of casualties. Of the IED casualties, 19 percent were caused by “toy bombs” and children were 88 percent of these casualties. Most casualties occurred in Baluchistan (69 percent, 337), followed by FATA (23 percent, 110).^[81]

Casualties continued to occur in early 2007 but at a lower rate than in 2006. By 29 May 2007 41 casualties had been reported (14 people killed and 27 injured). Most of the casualties were military (26); 10 were children.^[82]

There were at least 1,144 casualties in Pakistan between 2002 and 2006, with at least 440 killed and 704 injured.^[83] According to CMDO and PCBL, it is estimated that there are 5,000 landmine casualties in the tribal areas.^[84]

Data Collection

There is no comprehensive casualty surveillance or data collection system in Pakistan; underreporting of mine/UXO/IED casualties is certain and the total number of casualties is unknown. Several national NGOs record casualties based on media reports and information from their field teams and other NGOs. There had been little cooperation to create a unified data collection mechanism.^[85] However, progress was made in 2006 when the Sustainable Peace and Development Organization and Community Appraisal and Motivation Programme combined their casualty data into a unified database, cross-referenced to eliminate duplication.^[86] Landmine Monitor observed that not all mine/ERW incidents are reported in news media; those that are reported lack sufficient detail because reporters are not knowledgeable about explosive devices.^[87]

In April 2007, during a field mission in North and South Waziristan agencies, Landmine Monitor was told that NSAGs in FATA keep records of their casualties, though no further details were provided.^[88]

From June to August 2006, Landmine Monitor conducted a socioeconomic survey of mine survivors in Kurram agency of FATA; 154 villages were visited and 189 mine/ERW survivors (155 males and 34 females) were interviewed. Landmine Monitor found that 45 percent of survivors (85) needed initial prostheses and that 50 percent (94) needed new prostheses or prosthetic repairs.^[89] In a brief survey of 10 villages of Garhi Sher Khan near the Line of Control in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, local respondents reported 70 mine/ERW casualties.^[90]

Preliminary results of a RI household survey in Pakistani-administered Kashmir identified 150 mine/ERW survivors in areas close to the Line of Control in Abaspur and Hajira in Rawalakot district; the survey was scheduled to last until November 2007.^[91]

Accurate information about the number of people with disabilities and their living circumstances is lacking, impeding progress in disability planning. However, a census in 2008 reportedly would include information on disabilities in Pakistan.^[92]

Survivor Assistance

Landmine/ERW survivors in Pakistan are entitled to the same welfare services as other people with disabilities. Most people with physical disabilities are cared for within the family network, but some people with disabilities were forced into begging. Mine/ERW survivors are a small proportion of people with disabilities in Pakistan, so should not overburden the country’s assistance facilities. However, the 2005 earthquake put a considerable strain on medical and physical rehabilitation facilities and already scarce opportunities for survivors to receive treatment were further limited. In addition, being concentrated in the poor segment of society living in remote areas, they suffer greatly from limitations of service provision. Most governmental and NGO rehabilitation services in Pakistan are urban-based and do not reach individuals with disabilities in rural areas.^[93]

There are no specialized medical, surgical or first aid facilities close to affected areas. Local hospitals are not adequately equipped to respond to the needs of mine/ERW casualties. There is a lack of emergency transport, trained staff, funding, medicines, equipment and management. Seriously injured people, including mine/ERW casualties, are referred to hospitals in Peshawar or other major cities. Civilians must cover the costs of medicine, treatment and transport.^[94]

In North and South Waziristan agencies, injured Pakistani security personnel are treated by military first aid teams and then moved to the combined military hospitals in Dera Ismail Khan, Kohat and Peshawar. Non-state armed groups provide first aid to their injured; when taken to government hospitals as civilians they do not disclose their identity as combatants.^[95]

There are minimal services for landmine survivors in Pakistani-administered Kashmir. After receiving first aid at local hospitals casualties are transferred to the Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi and General Hospital Rawalpindi. Reportedly, most mine/ERW casualties from Dara Sher Khan in Poonch district of Pakistani-administered Kashmir die en route to hospital due to excessive bleeding.^[96]

Afghan mine survivors in Pakistan have very limited access to physical rehabilitation services due to the cost, and the quality of services is often poor. According to the government, “Pakistan has well-equipped workshops for the benefit of Afghan casualties…. Many doctors have also specialized in orthopaedic rehabilitation.”^[97] However, there are no known government-run rehabilitation programs for mine/ERW survivors in affected areas.^[98] The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) stated that, “Except for military personnel rehabilitation services were not easily available for the vast majority of Pakistani physically disabled.”^[99] The government has stated that people who become casualties “consequent to the use of improvised explosive devices/mines by terrorists are properly looked after” by compensation paid to both military and civilians, provision of prosthetics, assistance with re-employment and disability payments to military personnel.^[100]

Pakistan has legislation protecting the rights of people with disabilities, including employment quotas and/or remittances from the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Fund. A National Council for the Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons was established.^[101] However, legislation has not been implemented.^[102] The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education is responsible for issues relating to assistance to people with disabilities, but does not have special provisions for landmine survivors.^[103]

Pakistan is a signatory to the Proclamation on the Full Participation of People with Disabilities in the Asian and Pacific Region.^[104] As of 29 June 2007 Pakistan had not signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its Optional Protocol.

Governmental and Nongovernmental Activities

At least 27,315 people with disabilities in Pakistan received rehabilitation assistance during 2006, including at least 613 mine/ERW survivors. Within this total, Hayat Shaheed Hospital assisted 361 disabled in-patients and over 300 referral cases (six mine/ERW survivors). ICRC-supported centers assisted 1,412 people with physical rehabilitation (402 survivors), Lady Reading Hospital assisted 890 people, the Rehabilitation Center for Physically Disabled assisted 1,915 people, the Sarhad Society for Rehabilitation of Disabled assisted 50 children with disabilities, the Human Development Promotion Group assisted 15 mine/ERW survivors under 18 years of age, the Habib Medical Complex assisted 15,000 people, the Hayatabad Medical Complex assisted 7,000 people (10-15 survivors) and Response International UK assisted 372 people (133 survivors) with physiotherapy and 47 mine/ERW survivors with walking aids.^[105]

The Agency Headquarter Hospital in Bajaur agency provides emergency medical care and surgery, mainly to mine/ERW-injured people; expansion of services for mine/ERW casualties planned for 2006 did not occur.^[106] The hospital is not well-equipped and has limited resources. The World Health Organization, UNICEF, and UN Family and Population Fund Agency established temporary primary healthcare units in Kashmir.^[107]

In 2006 the ICRC continued to provide material and technical support to three physical rehabilitation centers: Rawalpindi Artificial Limb Centre managed by the Fauji Foundation, the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences (PIPOS) in Peshawar, and the Baluchistan Community Rehabilitation Centre run by the Christian Hospital in Quetta. It also sponsored training of technicians at PIPOS. In November 2006, ICRC started construction of a new physical rehabilitation center in Muzaffarabad in Pakistani-administered Kashmir, to be completed by mid-2007.^[108]

In 2006 the government decided to create three rehabilitation centers in the earthquake zone; Handicap International (HI) was scheduled to construct two centers in the North West Frontier Province (Mansehra and Besham) with five satellite centers; the ICRC was in charge of the center in Azad and Jammu Kashmir. A mobile network of social workers and orthopedic technicians started identifying disabled people and referring them to health services. HI was selected by the government and the World Health Organization to take the lead on disability issues. HI identified local partners, such as the disabled people’s organization STEP, to create a disability resource center and distribute disability information leaflets; it also identified a local wheelchair producer.^[109]

On 15 March 2007 CAMP launched its Disability Resource Center project in the earthquake-affected district of Mansehra in the North West Frontier Province. The center will facilitate rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, including survivors. CAMP plans to replicate the project in other areas of Pakistan if successfully implemented.^[110]

The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education runs 64 special education centers for the education, training and rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Vocational training centers for disabled people in four provinces provide training to people with disabilities.^[111] The National Council for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled provided some job placement and loan facilities. The Council also operated the Pakistan Society for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled, which provided rehabilitation, vocational training and some medical support to the disabled.^[112]

Funding and Assistance

Several NGOs providing MRE, casualty surveillance and survivor assistance in Pakistan received international funding, including SPADO (C$48,712, or US$42,954, donated by Canada) and CAMP (Rs.1,144,000, or $18,990, from Leonard Cheshire International UK, and an undisclosed amount from another UK NGO, International Disaster Emergency Aid and Long-term Support). RI and Islamic Relief also provided funding for their projects in Pakistan.^[113]

Pakistan has not reported providing funding for mine action in other mine-affected countries. Pakistani military personnel have undertaken clearance operations in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, East Timor Timor-Leste, Kuwait, Lebanon and Sierra Leone.^[114]

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told media in September 2006 that Pakistan would send “hundreds” of troops to Lebanon for demining operations.^[115]