Disengaging with Afghanistan 'disadvantageous' for world, PM Imran says

Published December 15, 2021
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday chaired the second meeting of the apex committee on Afghanistan. — Photo courtesy: PMO
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday chaired the second meeting of the apex committee on Afghanistan. — Photo courtesy: PMO

Prime Minister Imran Khan stated on Wednesday that Pakistan would provide all-out support to Afghanistan to avert a humanitarian crisis, adding that disengaging with the war-torn country would be "disadvantageous" for the world.

The premier expressed these views while chairing the second meeting of the apex committee on Afghanistan, according to a handout issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr Moeed Yusuf, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Planning Minister Asad Umar, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Finance Shaukat Tarin, Adviser to the Prime Minster on Commerce and Investment Abdul Razak Dawood and other senior civil and military officers also attended the meeting.

"The prime minister expressed the hope that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan. He urged the international community to support the vulnerable people of Afghanistan," the statement said.

"Pakistan will support the Afghan people in every possible way to avert a humanitarian crisis," the statement quoted him as saying. PM Imran also highlighted that Pakistan had already committed to providing humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion, which included food commodities and emergency medical supplies.

The committee was told that, as per the directions of the premier, the facility of free Covid-19 vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders was underway. "The process of obtaining a Pakistani visa has been simplified for Afghans," the statement said.

The prime minister also instructed officials to facilitate humanitarian organisations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan as "Pakistan has already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Afghanistan," the statement said.

The participants of the committee reiterated their concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon the people of the country in their time of need.

"On Sunday, Pakistan is hosting an extraordinary session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's foreign ministers in Islamabad to highlight the plight of vulnerable Afghan people in these testing times and to discuss ways for helping them," the statement concluded.

Opinion

Editorial

Race against time
Updated 09 Feb, 2025

Race against time

While some bright spots emerged at Breathe Pakistan moot, we must streamline our climate governance.
Open door
09 Feb, 2025

Open door

THE door is still open for talks, National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq has reminded the PTI. What matters, however,...
Football suspension
09 Feb, 2025

Football suspension

ONCE again, Pakistan has been ousted from the global football family. FIFA recently suspended the Pakistan Football...
A year later
Updated 08 Feb, 2025

A year later

A war of egos has been fought between a handful of individuals at the cost of the well-being of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Wheat decision
08 Feb, 2025

Wheat decision

THE federal decision to stop setting the minimum support price for wheat and cease the staple’s procurement...
Dhanmondi attack
08 Feb, 2025

Dhanmondi attack

HISTORY has shown that unless states deliver development and equal rights to all, disenfranchised people can target...