ISLAMABAD:Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday said Pakistan is committed to provide all out support to Afghan people to avert humanitarian crisis.
He said this while chairing the 3rd meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan. “We welcome United Nation’s (UN) appeal for aid to Afghanistan,” he added. The Apex Committee again expressed concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and vowed that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need.
It renewed its appeal to the international community and relief agencies to provide aid at this critical juncture to avert economic collapse and to save precious lives in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to explore bilateral cooperation with friendly countries as well to stave off humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan by exporting qualified and trained manpower especially in medical, IT, Finance and accounting.
He also directed to extend cooperation in the fields of railways, minerals, pharmaceuticals and media to help in Afghanistan’s rehabilitation and development. Earlier the Apex Committee was updated on the progress made on relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs05- billion which comprises of food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.
The Apex Committee was informed that Afghanistan is at the verge of hunger and crisis situation during this harsh winter. The crisis makes it difficult for the people to get enough food and shelter.
The Committee resolved to stand together with Afghan people and urged relief agencies to take immediate action. The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Ch Fawad Hussain, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razzak Dawood, National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yousaf, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and senior civil and military officers.