Pakistan to sends train medical, finance manpower to Afghanistan as Kabul facing shortage of professional

By Imran Nasir

ISLAMABAD (TSAT) - Pakistan has decided to send qualified and trained manpower to Afghanistan to help the new government in medical, IT and finance sectors.

During the third meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan, chaired by Prime Minister Imran in Islamabad, discussed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan is committed to provide all out support to Afghan people to avert humanitarian crisis,” said Prime Minister Imran Khan, according to a statement issued from the premier office.

The meeting was also attended by the Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid, National Security Advisor Moeed Yusaf, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhery, military leadership and other senior officials.

Khan also welcomed the United Nations new initiative to launched over $5 billion humanitarian aid appeal for Afghanistan.

“The Apex Committee again expressed concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and vowed that Pakistan will not abandon Afghans in their time of need. It renewed its appeal to the international community and relief agencies to provide aid at this critical juncture to avert economic collapse and to save precious lives in Afghanistan,” according to the statement.

While Khan directed the concerned authorities to explore bilateral cooperation with friendly countries as well to stave off humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan by exporting qualified and trained manpower especially in medical, IT, Finance and accounting, its said.

He also directed to extend cooperation in the fields of railways, minerals, pharmaceuticals and media to help in Afghanistan’s rehabilitation and development.

Earlier the Apex Committee was updated on the progress made on relief of in-kind humanitarian assistance worth Rs. 5 Billion which comprises of food commodities including 50,000 MT of wheat, emergency medical supplies, winter shelters and other supplies.

The Apex Committee was informed that Afghanistan is at the verge of hunger and crisis situation during this harsh winter. The crisis makes it difficult for the people to get enough food and shelter. The Committee resolved to stand together with Afghan people and urged relief agencies to take immediate action.

According to sources, the new Afghan government currently facing shortage of expert and professional people in different departments and had requested the friendly countries to help them out.

Pakistan already helping the war-torn country since August when Taliban took over control of Afghanistan and US imposed sanctions against the country, blocked their over $10 billion funds.

The Washington move has pushed Afghanistan into economic and humanitarian crisis as last month US warned that over 23 million people lives are under risk because of shortage of food and ongoing economic crisis.