Pakistan is providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan when the world simply looks on after the Taliban takeover, writes Laraib Nisar.
Ever since the Taliban takeover and the imposition of international financial and political restrictions by the global community on Afghanistan, Pakistan has been maintaining a constant supply of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan in the form of food and medical supplies. Besides ensuring humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Pakistan has taken steps to improve trade between the two countries. Some measures have already been taken while others are in the pipeline.
Aid To Afghanistan, Trade & Education
- Provision of on-arrival visas to Afghan patients visiting Pakistan for medical treatment at the Torkham border crossing point to facilitate and smoothen their travel and treatment in Pakistan.
- Pakistan allowed Afghan students enrolled in Pakistani educational institutes with valid admissions and study visas to travel by road via Torkham border crossing.
- Pakistan opened Torkham border crossing point for pedestrians.
- The operation hours of the Torkham border crossing point have been increased to 24 hours for trade and 12 hours for pedestrian crossings.
- Afghan trucks have been allowed to travel up to Karachi.
- Exemption of customs duty on the fresh fruits and vegetables arriving in Pakistan from Afghanistan.
- Pakistan cleared and sent back almost all empty returning containers of transit trade.
- Establishment of a special committee under the headship of National Security Advisor, Dr. Moeed Yusuf and Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Ambassador Sadiq, to monitor bilateral trade on daily basis. The committee is overseen by the prime minister himself.
- Pakistan has allowed Afghan investors to have shares in Pakistani companies without getting an NOC from the Ministry of Interior.
More Support To Afghanistan
- Establishment of border liaison committees to work in collaboration with Afghan counterparts to resolve current challenges at the borders.
- Pakistan’s Board of Investment has proposed to issue Pakistani citizenship to Afghans who invest a certain amount in Pakistan.
- Pakistan has announced the inclusion of Pakistani and Afghan traders in the Pak-Afghan Friendship Group to gain their technical advice.
- Provision of one-month on-arrival visas to Afghan traders at Torkham.
- Pakistan Embassy in Kabul to issue up-to five year long multi-entry visas for businessmen.
- Pakistani financial experts to assist Afghan counterparts in stabilizing their economy.
