At present, about 23 million people in Afghanistan are facing severe food shortages. About 32 lakh children are at risk of falling prey to malnutrition. Against this backdrop, India-Pakistan has taken a step forward by setting aside the dispute.
Humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan
Agreement between India and Pakistan on the wheat export proposal in the final stage
India to send 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan by road from Pakistan
The agreement between India and Pakistan on the proposal to send wheat as humanitarian aid to troubled Afghanistan after the Taliban took power is in the final stages, media reports said. India will send 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan by road from Pakistan.
India has handed over a list of Afghan contractors and truck drivers transporting wheat to Pakistan. India and Pakistan have agreed on the modalities for sending this wheat. According to the Express Tribune, the actual transportation of wheat could start once Pakistan approves the list of contractors and truck drivers.
India had announced in October that it would send 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the Wagah border on humanitarian grounds. At present Pakistan only allows exports to India from Afghanistan. On the contrary, exports are not allowed. After the establishment of the Afghanistan Ministerial Coordination Cell last month, Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, as an exception, allowed India to send wheat to Afghanistan by road. This decision has been taken on a temporary basis from a human point of view. Pakistan has made it clear that it will not be implemented in the future.
Pakistan did not agree to send wheat from India. Instead of sending wheat under the Indian banner, it should be sent in the name of the United Nations, Pakistan had initially suggested. However, India has rejected the offer, saying it should be allowed to be used by Afghan truck drivers. They are signs of acceptance.
Twelve crore people starve
At present, about 23 million people in Afghanistan are facing severe food shortages. About 32 lakh children are at risk of falling prey to malnutrition. The United Nations estimates that 97 percent of Afghans will be living below the poverty line if immediate action is not taken.