Pakistan accords top priority to projects for Afghanistan: PM

Prime Minister Imran Khan says Afghan students studying in Pakistani Universities will help in playing a vital role for development of Afghanistan and continue to strengthen people to people contacts between the two countries.

Chairing the 4th meeting of the Apex Committee on Afghanistan in Islamabad today [Monday], he directed that scholarships be continued and all necessary resources be made available.

Discussing the potential of bilateral trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan accords top priority to business-to-business relationships and communication projects and will provide full facilitation from the Government side.

He said that Pakistan will support hospitals Pakistan helped build in Afghanistan as well as work to build even greater road and rail connectivity with Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister also directed relevant Ministries to fast-track the projects and commitments announced for aid of Afghan people.

Imran Khan said that Pakistan wants a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and the International community must help avert humanitarian crisis in the neighboring country.

The meeting was attended by Ministers Shoukat Tarin, Fawad Ahmed, Shafqat Mehmood, Azam Khan Swati, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, National Security Advisor Dr. Moeed Yusuf, Advisor Commerce Abdul Razaq Dawood, SAPM Dr. Faisal Sultan and senior civil and military officers.

Earlier, National Security Advisor Dr. Moeed Yusuf provided a detailed briefing to the Apex Committee regarding Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, chairing a meeting on the Overseas Enclave Islamabad, the Prime Minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure high quality construction, fast-track completion and competitive pricing of proposed housing apartments in Islamabad.

Terming overseas Pakistanis as valuable asset, he said the government is fully focused on engaging nine million overseas Pakistanis for economic turnaround and wealth creation in the country.

Source: Radio Pakistan