Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the Foreign Office (FO) to arrange the transportation of wheat stock to Kunduz — the northern Afghan city where people face major food shortages after the provincial capital fell to a lightning Taliban assault in their biggest military victory since 2001.
Traumatised residents returning to Kunduz last week faced major food shortages after the Taliban beat a “tactical retreat”, leaving much of the city in ruins as fears of a comeback by the militants loomed large.
Taking notice of the food crisis in Kunduz, the prime minister directed FO to send a plane-load of wheat stock to the city.
This measure is being taken as a goodwill gesture on behalf of the people and Government of Pakistan for the returning residents of Kunduz facing severe food shortage after Taliban retreat, said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House.
Pakistan is experiencing a wheat surplus this year, but the government’s plan to export 1.2 million tonnes of the stock has been undermined by falling prices on the world market.
It may be recalled that Pakistan and Afghanistan had signed an agreement in 2008 for supply of 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan.
