ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The third meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan held in Islamabad on Friday expressed concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and vowed that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need.
In its meeting presided over by Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Apex Committee 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.
In his remarks, the prime minister said that Pakistan is committed to provide all-out support to the Afghan people to avert the humanitarian crisis.
“We welcome United Nations’ appeal for aid to Afghanistan,” he said.
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.
Imran Khan 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 Rs 5 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 a 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 the Afghan people and urged relief agencies to take immediate action.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, the Information Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, the Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, the Advisor on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, the National Security Advisor Dr. Moeed Yusuf, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa & Senior Civil and Military Officers.
