Khan warns world against abandoning Afghanistan

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan has pledged continued support to Afghanistan, warning the global fraternity against disengaging from the conflict-devastated country.

Chairing a meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan in Islamabad on Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan called for urgent global assistance to that country to help it overcome the worsening humanitarian crisis.

Disengaging from Afghanistan would translate into a human tragedy for the entire world, Khan told the meeting, which was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chief of the Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and several ministers.

The Apex Committee voiced its concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and promised that Pakistan would not abandon the Afghans in their time of need.

Khan hoped the international community would not repeat the mistake of abandoning Afghanistan. He underlined the need for international support to the vulnerable people of Afghanistan.

The prime minister reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to providing Afghanistan with immediate humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion.

The participants were informed free COVID vaccination of all Afghans entering Pakistan continued. The process of obtaining the Pakistani visa has been simplified for Afghans.

Foreign Minister Qureshi asked the world not to repeat the mistakes already committed in Afghanistan. He said if immediate attention was not paid to Afghanistan, millions of Afghans would die of hunger and cold.

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