ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday approved humanitarian assistance worth five billion rupees comprising wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies for Afghanistan.
The premier gave these instructions, while chairing the first Apex Committee meeting during his visit to the newly established Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell in Islamabad today [Monday].
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI approves Humanitarian Assistance Package for Afghanistan.
The Prime Minister visited the newly established Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC) today where he chaired the first Apex Committee meeting of AICC. pic.twitter.com/OunjqOp86F
— Prime Minister’s Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) November 22, 2021
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Moeed Yusuf, and senior civil and military officers.
According to a statement issued by the PM’s Office, the premier ordered the immediate shipment of in-kind humanitarian assistance, comprising food commodities, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister instructed all ministries to facilitate Afghans to the maximum. He also approved in-principle tariff and sales tax reduction on key Afghan exports to Pakistan. PM Imran ordered that the facility of free COVID vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders be continued.
The premier also announced Pakistan’s decision to allow the 50,000 metric tons of wheat India has offered to provide Afghanistan as humanitarian assistance to go through Pakistan as soon as modalities are finalized with the Indian side.
The Prime Minister also directed that bus service between Peshawar and Jalalabad be revived to facilitate travellers on both sides. To further facilitate Afghans, the visa duration will be relaxed such that visas are granted within three weeks at the most.
Meanwhile, PM Imran instructed the National Security Adviser to visit Afghanistan to hold delegation level talks and agree on specific areas where immediate capacity building support shall be provided to Afghans.
