Chinese embassy hands over packages for Afghan refugees

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Chinese embassy in Islamabad has provided food packages to Afghan refugees for different parts of Pakistan.

The Chinese Ambassador, Yao Jing, on May 21, handed over 1,500 food packs to Minister of State for Frontier Regions (SAFRON) and Narcotics Affairs, Shehryar Afridi as donation for the Afghan refugees trapped in camps due to lockdown situation amid coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

The donation was arranged at the request of the Minister who had written letters to the United Nations and diplomatic missions based in the federal capital, urging the prosperous world and the donors to help the Afghan refugees trapped in the lockdown situation. 

“Pakistan’s role in helping the Afghan refugees would be long remembered,” the Chinese Ambassador remarked while handing over the donation to the Minister. Ambassador Yao stated that Pakistan was not only been generously hosting millions of Afghans over the past four decades but it also was playing a key role in bringing peace and normalcy to war-torn Afghanistan.

“Today’s donation is a gesture to pay tribute to Pakistan’s generous support to Afghan refugees over four decades. We will do more,” he promised. 

He reiterated that China believed coronavirus to be a temporary challenge which Pakistan would soon overcome it. 

“Whatever help we can make we are ready to help. Chinese nation was touched when President Dr Arif Alvi had visited China amid epidemic. Pakistan sent assistance to us when China was suffering. China and Pakistan are standing as responsible partners to regional and global challenges” the Chinese envoy said. 

“China has always been helping out the suffering humanity. The way China fought COVID-19 is exemplary for the whole world. Once the epidemic turned into pandemic, China again started to play leadership role in helping the world nations to mitigate the disease,” the SAFRON Minister complimented. 

In a twitter message the Chinese Embassy spokesman said that arrangements have been made with assistance from Pakistani government and under framework of China-Pakistan-Afghanistan trilateral cooperation, “We are together to fight against COVID019”the statement May 21 added.