Pakistan’s prime minister calls Akhund, pledges to support quake efforts

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a telephonic conversation with Afghanistan’s acting Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund late Thursday and shared details of Islamabad’s plans to provide emergency assistance to earthquake hit areas in Afghanistan.

According to a statement issued by the Pakistan embassy in Kabul, Sharif conveyed deep sympathies and condolences, on behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, on the loss of so many lives.

“The Prime Minister affirmed that Pakistan stood shoulder-to-shoulder with its Afghan brethren in this difficult hour.

“The Prime Minister also shared details regarding the relief efforts mounted by Pakistan to provide emergency assistance to Afghanistan, including dispatch of emergency medicines, tents, tarpaulins and blankets,” read the statement.

In addition to this, Sharif said that Ghulam Khan and Angoor Adda border crossing points have been opened for the transportation of seriously injured Afghans to Pakistani hospitals.

He also reassured Afghanistan of Islamabad’s continued assistance in the coming days as well.