ISLAMABAD: First consignment of 1800 metric tonnes of wheat as humanitarian assistance for Afghanistan from Pakistan crossed Torkham border on Thursday.

In a statement on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said the consignment is part of the humanitarian package of 5 billion rupees for in-kind assistance for Afghanistan announced by Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said the package includes 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat, winter shelters and emergency medical supplies. The spokesperson said the first consignment was handed over by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Shehzad Arbab to the Afghan side. He said Pakistan believes that the current humanitarian and economic situation in Afghanistan requires immediate attention of the international community.

He said it is critical that the world community upscale its efforts to reach out to the Afghan people on an urgent basis to help address the humanitarian crisis and stabilize the economic situation. He said Pakistan will continue its efforts in support of the fraternal Afghan people as part of our commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan.