PESHAWAR, June 7: Pakistan on Tuesday handed over 10 well-equipped ambulances to Afghanistan’s government, according to an official handout. Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, deputy chief of protocol, ministry of foreign affairs camp office Peshawar, presented the keys of the ambulances to Afghan Consul General Haji Abdul Khaliq during a simple ceremony near the Hayatabad checkpost.

Pakistan had earlier delivered 23 ambulances to Afghanistan’s government, out of the 45 it had pledged to give its neighbouring country. With the handing over of 10 more ambulances on Tuesday, the number of vehicles delivered has risen to 33. The remaining 12 ambulances will be delivered in due course of time.

Speaking on the occasion, the Foreign Office representative highlighted Pakistan’s contribution to the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He said a 100-bed hospital would be constructed in Kabul at a cost of Rs120 million. About half of the beds of this hospital would be reserved for thalasaemia patients, he added.

Likewise, assistance was being provided for the construction of Rahman Baba School and establishing faculties in the universities of Kabul and Balkh.

Referring to the relief package, the Foreign Office official said that 50,000 food packets and 9,600 tents were being provided to Afghanistan.

The Afghan consul general in his speech appreciated Pakistan’s assistance in the reconstruction of Afghanistan. He said that Afghanistan had been completely devastated by the more than decade-long Soviet occupation and the operation against international terrorism after 9/11.

He said that his country had great expectations from Pakistan and hoped that its support for reconstruction work would continue.—APP