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ISLAMABAD: National Security Adviser (NSA) Dr Moeed Yusuf would be visiting Afghanistan on January 18-19 to assess the humanitarian situation in the country.
Dr Yusuf is the second-high ranking official to visit the country since the Taliban takeover. In October last year, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi visited Kabul along with then-director general of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt General Faiz Hameed.
According to a local daily, a high-level ministerial delegation led by the NSA would undertake a two-day trip to the Afghan capital on directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The purpose of the visit is to ascertain the humanitarian, economic and development needs of Afghanistan in various sectors. Dr Yusuf will meet senior Taliban leaders and would convey Prime Minister Imran’s message of support for Afghanistan.
The main sectors of Pakistan’s cooperation with Afghanistan include health, higher education, provision of humanitarian assistance, and enhancement of trade/business contacts. Moeed Yusuf is steering the Afghanistan Inter-Ministerial Coordination Cell (AICC) to channel Pakistan’s assistance to Afghanistan.
This visit comes at a time when nearly 23 million Afghans are at the risk of food scarcity. Recently, the United Nations (UN) launched the biggest-ever appeal for any country in history, seeking $5 billion for Afghanistan in 2022.
The UN warned that if the people of Afghanistan were not aided immediately, $10 billion would be required by next year to mitigate the looming humanitarian crisis.
Pakistan, on its part, was offering all possible assistance to Afghanistan, including the provision of wheat and other essential goods. Islamabad is also keen to help Afghanistan revive its fragile economy.
During a recent inter-ministerial meeting on Afghanistan, PM Imran directed the concerned authorities to explore ways for exporting skilled and trained manpower to the neighbouring country.
It is worth mentioning here that while Pakistan has not officially recognised the Taliban government in Afghanistan, it is actively urging the international community to maintain engagement with Kabul in light of the hovering humanitarian crisis.
