Pakistan wants Afghanistan’s assets unfrozen

PESHAWAR (Pajhwok): Pakistan says it will favourably consider the Taliban government’s request for allowing the transportation of wheat from India through the country for humanitarian reasons.

Prime Minister Imran Khan held out the assurance at a meeting with a Taliban delegation headed by acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Islamabad.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said Muttaqi, currently in Pakistan on a three-day visit, was accompanied by the acting ministers of finance and industry as well as others.

Khan promised Pakistan would help the Afghans overcome the challenges being faced by the neighbouring country, a statement from his office said.

He underlined the importance of a peaceful, stable, sovereign, prosperous and connected Afghanistan for Pakistan and the region at large.

Security, resolute counter-terrorism actions, respect for the rights of all Afghans and governance inclusivity would contribute to Afghanistan’s stability, he believed.

Khan hoped the interim Taliban government would continue to constructively engage the international community and taking positive measures to address the prevailing challenges.

The premier added: “Pakistan has been consistently calling for provision of immediate humanitarian relief for Afghanistan.”

Khan went on to stress the need for the immediate release of Afghanistan’s frozen assets and facilitating banking transactions to prevent an economic meltdown.

On bilateral relations, Khan reiterated Islamabad’s resolve to stand by the Afghan people by extending all possible support, including humanitarian assistance in-kind, to withstand the coming winter season.

In addition to the assistance already extended, he said, Pakistan would provide essential food items including wheat and rice and emergency medical supplies for Afghanistan.

mud

Hits: 16