Prime Minister Imran Khan Wednesday received a telephone call from Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and discussed the latest situation in Afghanistan including the efforts for evacuation of people from the country.
Prime Minister Imran Khan stated that Pakistan was closely following the developments and was in touch with regional and international partners.
He highlighted that Pakistan was facilitating the evacuation of diplomatic personnel and staff of international organizations and others from Afghanistan, as requested.
The Dutch PM conveyed thanks for Pakistan’s support and facilitation for their evacuation endeavors.
Read more: Qureshi says Pakistan facilitating Kabul evacuation as CJP showers praise
Prime Minister Imran stressed that a peaceful and stable Afghanistan was critically important for Pakistan and the region.
He further underscored that safety and security as well as protection of the rights of all Afghans was critically important.
He underlined that an inclusive political settlement was the best way forward.
It was equally essential for the world community to stay engaged in order to support the people of Afghanistan, economically and to help rebuild, he added.
Both the leaders also agreed to further enhance mutual cooperation between the two countries in various fields.
Prime Minister @ImranKhanPTI 🇵🇰 received a telephone call from Dutch Prime Minister @MarkRutte 🇳🇱 today. pic.twitter.com/VArZfL5y4l
— Prime Minister's Office (@PakPMO) August 18, 2021
Countries evacuating people from Afghanistan
As the Taliban takes over in Afghanistan, Western countries are rushing to evacuate their staff from the country.
Turkish media reported that a flight from Kabul with 324 Turkish nationals landed in Istanbul on Monday.
Italy said about 50 of its diplomats and 20 Afghans reached Rome on Monday after being flown out of Kabul.
A plane carrying 46 Czechs and some Afghans landed in Prague on Monday morning.
Dutch Defence Minister Ank Bijleveld tweeted that a military plane was en route to evacuate interpreters and local staff along with their families from the country’s embassy in Kabul, with several flights expected.
Read more: India pulls out staff from consulate as situation gets intense in Afghanistan
All Swedish personnel in Afghanistan were evacuated to Doha overnight, while Finland said it would help its embassy staff and up to 130 Afghans leave the country.
Norway said all its embassy staff in Kabul had now been evacuated. Denmark’s defense ministry said it had evacuated a group “under very difficult conditions” but that a large group was still waiting to get out.
Courtesy: APP with additional input by GVS