KHYBER: As many as 80 trucks loaded with various food and non-food items donated by the government of Tajikistan for flood-hit people arrived in Pakistan via Torkham border on Thursday.

Ambassador of Tajikistan Asmatullah Nazir later handed over the consignment to the PM’s adviser Amir Muqam at a ceremony held at National Logistic Cell terminal in Jamrud.

The humanitarian assistance included 1,000 tons of cement, 1,000 tons of coal, 2,000 roof sheets, 500 tons of wheat flour and 500 cartons of bottled water.

The ambassador said on the occasion that the humanitarian goods were donated by the people of his country to help the flood-affected people of Pakistan in their time of need.

Mr Muqam thanked the government of Tajikistan for helping Pakistan at a time when millions of people had suffered immensely due to floods.

“This timely and friendly gesture by the people and government of Tajikistan would further strengthen our friendly relations,” he said and added that these items would be distributed among the needy families through the National Disaster Management Authority.

Meanwhile, hundreds of the flood-affected families belonging to the bordering villages of Loe Shalman in Landi Kotal are still waiting for official assistance as most of them are living under open sky with their houses washed away by recent floods in Kabul River.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2022