Trying to turn international spotlight on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan: Pak Foreign Minister

Pakistan is trying to turn international spotlight on deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi told Acting Foreign Minister of Afghanistan Amir Khan Mutaqqi, ahe of OIC Foreign Ministers Conference on Sunday.

Muttaqi arrived in Islamab on Saturday to attend 17th extraordinary session of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers to discuss prevailing situation in Afghanistan.

“Pakistan h been continuously drawing international community’s attention towards economic challenges inside Afghanistan and urging for immediate provision of humanitarian assistance,” a statement by Pakistan Foreign Office said.

During meeting with Muttaqi, Qureshi also highlighted Pakistan’s contribution towards a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, particularly in provision of humanitarian assistance, Foreign Office statement said.

In turn, Muttaqi thanked Qureshi for supporting Afghanistan and for convening OIC meet, which will see representation of around 437 delegates.

Muttaqi also discussed current economic situation with German Special Representative for Afghanistan Jasper Wieck.

Afghanistan's economy is facing a major crisis after Taliban seized power in Kabul in mid-August amid a chaotic US and NATO troop withdrawal from war-torn country.

Following hardline Islamists assuming power in Afghanistan, international community froze billions of dollars' worth of assets abro and stopped all funding to country.

Qureshi, meanwhile, also met Foreign Minister of Bosnia & Herzegovina Dr. Bisera Turkovic on sidelines and exchanged views on issues of regional importance, including situation in Afghanistan.

minister also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and Malaysia Saifuddin Abdullah.

Separately, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi also met Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in Rawalpindi and exchanged views on bilateral and regional issues, including urgency for channelising humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan.