ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: A convoy of 18 trucks carrying 900 tons of wheat left Islamabad for Kabul on Monday.

The consignment was the first instalment of the total 50,000 metric tons of wheat announced by President General Pervez Musharraf, to be donated to Afghanistan.

This donation is a part of the $100 million commitment made by Pakistan at the Japan Conference to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction and rehabilitation.

The minister of state for foreign affairs, Inamul Haq, handed over the first delivery to the Afghan charge d’ affaires, Rehmatullah Musa Ghazi, at the foreign office. He said 38,000 metric tons wheat would be sent to Kabul, 7,000 to Kandahar and the remaining 5,000 to Jalalabad.

The minister said that Pakistan would continue to assist Afghanistan in its reconstruction programme.

The Afghan charge de affaires recalled the cordial relations between the two countries and thanked the government and people of Pakistan for this good-will gesture.

According to official sources, the entire consignment will be delivered on daily basis.—APP