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ISLAMABAD: The interim Afghan government has refused to accept aid from Pakistan for the earthquake victims as tensions between the two neighbors continue to strain relations between them, it was reported on Friday.
Afghanistan was struck by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake last Saturday, leaving at least 1,000 people dead and affecting many villages. There was further damage when another quake hit the region on Wednesday.
Pakistan was quick to offer support as Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar announced sending rescue and relief teams along with essential aid. However, the consignment and rescuers were not dispatched to Afghanistan after Kabul refused to give clearance. Although there was no official word from either side, the current tension between the two countries seemed to be the main reason for the Afghan rejection.
Another factor was seen as the lack of capacity by the Afghan authorities to distribute the aid already reached Afghanistan by the international community.
However, it has been learnt that the main reason Pakistan did not send rescue and relief teams and the aid because of Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to accept them.
The development was seen in the context of ongoing tension between the two countries over the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Also, further complicating the relationship was Pakistan’s recent series of moves that include deportation of all illegal Afghan immigrants, visa policy for Afghans and restrictions imposed on the Afghan imports.