NSA reiterates call for assistance to avert looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan

National Security Advisor Dr Moeed Yusuf on Tuesday reiterated his call for immediate assistance to avert the looming humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

A six-member US delegation led by Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Congressman Gregory Meeks called on the NSA to discuss Pak-US bilateral relations and the overall situation in Afghanistan.

Yusuf stressed that with the departure of two European companies printing Afghan currency, the Taliban could no longer print their own currency adding that a banking channel is also needed to pay the salaries of the workers in Afghanistan.

“A stable and peaceful Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakistan and the world,” he added.

Speaking about relations with Washington, the NSA said Pakistan’s focus was on geo-economics and it wanted an economic partnership and investment from the US.

Also read: US Congressmen appreciate Pakistan’s role in Afghan situation

Yesterday, Prime Minister Imran Khan also held meetings with Meeks and Chairman of Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Non-Proliferation Congressman Ami Bera.

The prime minister expressed hope that more high-level exchanges, at all tiers including the administration, will take place between both countries reinforcing their ties.

With regard to the evolving situation in Afghanistan, the premier emphasised that Pakistan and the US needed to deepen engagement to promote peace, stability and economic development in Afghanistan.

He particularly underscored that there was an urgent need to financially assist the Afghan people as part of the effort to prevent a humanitarian crisis and economic collapse.

Imran also hoped that ways and means would be found to address the liquidity issue and enable banking channels to help Afghanistan sustain its immediate economic burden and challenges.

Both sides maintained that Pakistan and United States should work to strengthen bilateral trade and economic relationships as well as co-operation in health, security, counter-terrorism, and combating climate change.

The Chairman of House Foreign Affairs Committee HFAC (@HouseForeign) , Congressman @RepGregoryMeeks called on Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI. He was accompanied by Chairman of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Non-Proliferation, Congressman Ami Bera (@RepBera) pic.twitter.com/xXRiI3XUtK

— Prime Minister's Office, Pakistan (@PakPMO) November 22, 2021