Islamabad, 6 October 2022 (TDI): US Special Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West called on Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Pakistan Hina Rabbani Khar in Islamabad.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a peaceful, prosperous, and stable Afghanistan. They emphasized the need to improve the Afghan economy and prosperity. US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom was also accompanied by Thomas West.
Pakistan’s Development Assistance to Afghanistan
In 2021, Pakistan’s development assistance to Afghanistan reached $1 billion. The country’s development assistance is geared towards investment in infrastructure, education, health, agriculture, and capacity building of Afghan professionals.
Pakistan has set up healthcare facilities in Afghanistan including three hospitals.
Pakistan is also assisting Afghanistan in capacity building in the fields of agriculture, banking, railways, military, and diplomacy.
The government initiated capacity-building projects for Afghan healthcare professionals, under which 59 Afghan medical professionals including doctors, nurses, and technicians successfully completed their training in 2017.
US Assistance to Afghanistan
In 2012, the United States and Afghanistan concluded the Strategic Partnership Agreement to support Afghanistan’s capabilities as a partner, and improve the lives of the Afghan people.
The United States focuses on humanitarian aid and targeted assistance for Afghanistan to help meet basic human needs.
As part of these efforts, the United States has led the international response to deliver humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people working through UN agencies and NGOs. The United States has provided $775 million in assistance.
The United States has advanced efforts to provide lifesaving humanitarian assistance and help fulfill the basic needs of Afghans in the priority areas of food security/agriculture, health, and education.
Also read: US announces aid for Afghanistan
Beyond basic needs, the United States has also supported programs designed to improve human rights in Afghanistan, particularly those of women, girls, and minority communities.
The United States remains the single largest donor of humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
