QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly on Tuesday evening adopted a resolution for immediate relief for Afghanistan.

Presenting a joint resolution in the assembly, Shahina Kakar of the Awami National Party (ANP) said the house was concerned over the changing situation in neighbouring Afghanistan.

Afghanistan is currently facing one of the worst financial crises and food shortages in history, as confirmed by the United Nations.

The deteriorating situation in the neighbouring country is likely to affect the provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa that are adjacent to Afghanistan. The house asked the federal government to approach the international community — especially the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the European Union — to help ease the crisis.

Ms Kakar called on international organisations to ensure immediate financial assistance to Afghanistan and the provision of food items in its backward areas while maintaining the policy of peace and reconciliation there.

ANP’s parliamentary leader Asghar Khan Achakzai said that the dire situation in Afghanistan would have a direct negative impact on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Given the current situation in Afghanistan, it is feared that the lack of food, employment and basic amenities would lead to instability, terrorism and crime that could eng­ulf the entire region, he said, adding that the US has frozen the funds of the Afghan people. He said the Afghan people should be helped.

Nasrullah Zerey of the Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party said the Afghan people have always defended their land but have never suffered from malnutrition. But since August 15 last year there is a shortage of agricultural commodities.

He said that if democratic institutions are established in Afghanistan the people there can end this tragedy. “We should take care of our neighbours. If Afghanistan is stable our country will be stable.”

Syed Azizullah Agha of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam said “civilised nations” did not hear the sighs and sobs of Afghan children. Under a conspiracy, he said, the current government of Afghanistan was being thwarted. The federal government raised its voice for Afghanistan at the international level.

He said that the Afghan government was in the hands of people who have made history and defeated 46 countries.

Hazara Democratic Party’s Qadir Ali Nayal said that there was a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan at the moment. Political parties always link the country’s foreign policy with non-interference but they themselves intervene in Afghanistan in one way or another.

The international community has expressed concern about human rights, women and other people in Afghanistan, he added. He said as long as there was discrimination on the basis of religion and nationality, the situation could not be improved.

Senior Minister Noor Moham­mad Damar supported the resolution, saying that the international community should be neutral and recognise the Afghan government. He said peace in Afghan­istan could bring peace in Pakistan too.

Provincial Minister Syed Ehsan Shah said that if Saudi and Egyptian citizens were involved in 9/11 then how can the funds of Afghan people be given to the victims of 9/11. He said when he met the German ambassador he said that the basic work in Afghanistan has not been stopped and other nations should also help Afghanistan.

The house also passed resolutions for restoration of student unions and immediate ban on import of plastic toys (guns and pistols, etc.) from abroad.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2022