Says Pakistan to support Afghanistan to avert humanitarian crisis
ISLAMABAD
Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the government has initiated utilising dead capital for earning revenues. The prime minister said this while chairing a meeting regarding Ravi Urban Development Authority and Central Business District Lahore projects on Wednesday.
The prime minister said Central Business District and Ravi Urban Development Authority projects are important for the future of Lahore and the country. He said environment friendly materials including smart trees, blue roads, energy efficient construction materials be used in the Central Business District Lahore.
The prime minister said development projects are for improving the socio-economic conditions of the common man. He said green urbanization will help in reducing the adverse impacts of pollution and these models should be replicated in other cities of the country.
He said that development of green spaces in new plans and preservation in existing urban areas is necessary for mitigating impacts of pollution including smog. He directed the Punjab government to take strict legal action against elements involved in illegal encroachments and illegal housing societies. He also directed to expedite the process of lands’ transfer for RUDA and CBD projects.
The prime minister also emphasized that urban development projects are being initiated for attracting investments and should not be criticized and hindered for political reasons.
In a separate meeting on Wednesday, the prime minister stated that Pakistan will support the Afghan people in every possible way to avert the humanitarian crisis. He made the remarks while chairing the second meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan.
The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Information Minister Fawad Ahmed, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, Planning Minister Asad Umer, Advisor on Finance Shaukat Fayaz Tarin, Advisor Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Adviser Dr. Moeed Yousaf and senior civil and military officers.
The prime minister expressed the hope that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan. He urged the international community to support the vulnerable people of Afghanistan.He highlighted that Pakistan had already committed to immediate relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs5 billion, which comprised food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.
The Apex Committee was briefed that as per directions of the Prime Minister the facility of free COVID vaccination for all Afghans entering Pakistan from land borders was being continued. The process of obtaining a Pakistani visa has been simplified for Afghans.
The prime minister also instructed that humanitarian organizations wishing to work from Pakistan to support efforts in Afghanistan should be facilitated as Pakistan had already committed to being the air and land bridge for humanitarian support to Afghanistan.
Participants of the Apex Committee again expressed concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and emphasised that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need. TLTP
