World needs to provide aid to Afghanistan to avert economic collapse: president

ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has said the world needed to immediately provide financial assistance to Afghanistan to avert impending economic collapse.

During his meeting with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov on the sidelines of the 15th Summit of Economic Cooperation Organisation in Ashgabat, Dr Arif Alvi has emphasised that sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan was vital to reap the benefits of regional connectivity and prosperity.

The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional peace and security with particular focus on worsening economic and humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Highlighting the dire state of human sufferings in Afghanistan, President Alvi stressed the importance of practical engagement with Afghanistan to coordinate provision of urgent food, medicines and shelter items by the international community.

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He also stressed the importance of unfreezing Afghanistan’s frozen financial assets in this regard.

Talking about bilateral trade and economic relations, the president underscored that road, rail and air linkages were essential to promote trade, tourism and people-to-people contacts between Pakistan and Turkmenistan.

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued support to timely completion of the TAPI gas pipeline project.

The president congratulated his Turkmenistan counterpart on thirty years of Turkmenistan’s independence and 25th anniversary of Turkmenistan’s policy of Permanent Neutrality.

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During his visit to Turkmenistan, Dr Arif Avli will also attend the 15th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organisation being held in Ashgabat on Sunday (today).

He will address the plenary session of the summit and will hold bilateral meetings with various global leaders on the sidelines of the Summit.