PRIME Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday urged the international community to come forward and provide emergency assistance to the Afghan people dealing with the aftermath of devastating floods in Afghanistan.
The Premier expressed grief over the floods which led to the loss of precious lives and financial damages in 10 provinces of the war-torn country, adding that the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will likely intensify.
Afghanistan is already facing a multitude of problems due to discriminatory approach of influential and powerful members of the international community that are unwilling to cooperate with the new Government of Taliban, which is, otherwise, effectively administering the country in every respect.
There was a total breakdown of the governmental machinery and it was considered next to impossible for the resource-starved country to manage its affairs but credit goes to the Taliban Government for enlisting support of the masses through its policy of reconciliation and an effective check on corrupt practices, which helped improve things to some extent.
Pakistan, along with some other like-minded countries, tried its best to present the case of Afghan people before the world community and also hosted an OIC moot to mobilize financial and economic support for the neighbouring country.
However, as has been highlighted by the international media as well as the UN system, the country needs active support of the global community to feed its people, stir economic activities and move forward on its commitment to the outside world.
In this backdrop, the devastating floods in ten provinces would make things more complicated for Afghan people and the Government.
The Prime Minister has done well by announcing prompt relief assistance for the affected Afghan people but the magnitude of the problem calls for aggressive involvement of the United Nations to provide food and shelter to all those affected by the natural calamity.
Philanthropists in Pakistan and other countries, especially those in the OIC member states, should also come forward and make donations in cash and kind to mitigate sufferings of the affected people.
