Islamabad won’t leave Kabul in the lurch

Imran Khan reaffirms resolve to provide 'all-out support' to Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis

Prime Minister Imran Khan reiterated on Wednesday that Pakistan will provide "all-out support" to Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis, hoping that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with the war-torn country, according to an official press release.

The premier expressed these remarks as he chaired the second meeting of the newly-established Apex Committee on Afghanistan.

Pakistan to provide all out support for Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis : Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI

Disengaging with Afghanistan would be disadvantageous for the world : The PM

PM Imran Khan chaired the second meeting of Apex Committee on Afghanistan today. pic.twitter.com/ZJOJ19Zv93

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) December 15, 2021

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Planning Minister Asad Umer, Adviser on Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Adviser Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf and senior civil and military officers.

Read more: UN warns of consequences if Afghanistan aid delayed

The prime minister, during the meeting, hoped that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan, urging the international community to support the vulnerable people of Afghanistan.

According to the statement, PM Imran stated that Pakistan will support Afghan people in every possible way to avert humanitarian crisis, highlighting that Pakistan has already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion, which comprises food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.

It said that the committee was briefed that as per directions of the premier, the facility of free Covid-19 vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders is being continued. The process of obtaining a Pakistani visa has been simplified for Afghans, it was further told.

Also read: Pakistan sends another consignment of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan

The prime minister also instructed that humanitarian organisations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan should be facilitated as the country has already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Afghanistan, it added.

Participants of the committee again expressed concerns over deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need.

On Sunday, Pakistan is hosting an extraordinary session of OIC foreign ministers in Islamabad to highlight the plight of vulnerable Afghan people in these testing times and to discuss ways for helping them.