ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday reaffirmed Pakistan’s support to Afghanistan and the Afghan people in overcoming the “dire challenges being faced by the neighbouring country”.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the premier expressed these sentiments while speaking to a delegation led by Afghanistan’s acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.
Muttaqi — who is currently in the country on a three-day visit — was accompanied by the acting ministers of finance, and industry and commerce as well as other senior members of the Afghan delegation.
During the meeting, the premier said that Pakistan would “favourably” consider the request by the Taliban government in Afghanistan for transporting wheat offered by India through the country on an “exceptional basis” for humanitarian purposes.
PM Imran stressed the vital importance of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region. He underlined that continued security and resolute counter-terrorism actions, respect for rights of all Afghans, and inclusivity in governance and politics would further contribute to Afghanistan’s stability.
The premier hoped that the interim Afghan government would continue to constructively engage the international community and would keep on taking positive measures to address the prevailing challenges.
“Pakistan has been consistently calling for provision of immediate humanitarian relief for Afghanistan,” the statement quoted the premier as saying. He also underscored the urgent need to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets and facilitate banking transactions to prevent an economic meltdown.
The Prime Minister, in addition to the assistance already extended, said that Pakistan would provide essential food items including wheat and rice, emergency medical supplies, and shelter items for Afghanistan.
The prime minister also emphasised the importance for the two countries to work together to facilitate the movement of people, trade, transit and regional connectivity in an effort to promote progress and prosperity in the region.
