Pakistan dispatches humanitarian aid for Afghanistan's earthquake victims

State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani (centre) along with NDMA, foreign ministry officials addresses media as Pakistan dispatches humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Afghanistan, September 3, 2025. — PTV News

Pakistan Sends 105 Tonnes of Vital Humanitarian Aid to Aid Afghanistan After Devastating Quake

Pakistan Dispatches 105 Tonnes of Humanitarian Aid to Help Earthquake-Ravaged Afghanistan

In response to a deadly 6.0-magnitude quake, Pakistan delivers 105 tonnes of relief—food, medicine, tents, blankets—to Afghanistan via Torkham. A gesture of solidarity amid a growing humanitarian crisis.

State Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Kheal Das Kohistani along with NDMA, foreign ministry officials addresses media as Pakistan dispatches humanitarian assistance to quake-hit Afghanistan, September 3, 2025. — PTV NewsThe federal government has dispatched 105 tonnes

In a powerful act of goodwill and regional solidarity, Pakistan dispatched 105 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies to Afghanistan on Wednesday—just days after a devastating earthquake shook the country. The aid, coordinated by Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and foreign ministry, was sent via five trucks crossing through the Torkham border. 

Afghan boys sit on the rubble of a house following a deadly magnitude-6 earthquake that struck Afghanistan on Sunday, at Lulam village, in Nurgal district, Kunar province, Afghanistan, September 3, 2025. — Reuters

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, following a key phone call with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, confirmed the assistance. The consignment includes food items, medicines, tents, blankets, and bubble mats, equipment urgently needed by survivors who have lost homes and loved ones. Pakistan’s heartfelt gesture came with a message of enduring friendship and prayers for the victims. 

A Disaster of Unprecedented Scale

This generous aid is arriving in the aftermath of one of Afghanistan’s deadliest earthquakes in years. In eastern Afghanistan, areas like Kunar, Nangarhar, and Laghman were left reeling after the 6.0-magnitude quake struck. Initial reports put the death toll at over 800, but later figures climbed to more than 1,100, with over 3,200 injured and thousands of homes destroyed in remote villages. Rescue teams continue struggling against rough terrain and persistent aftershocks as they aim to reach more survivors.

Pakistan’s timely deployment of relief supplies comes as a crucial lifeline—especially given logistical hurdles and funding shortfalls hampering international aid efforts. The World Food Programme has warned that food reserves could run dry in as little as four weeks without more support. Pakistan’s delivery helps bridge that critical gap.

A Gesture Rooted in Kinship and Duty

Pakistan’s relief conveys more than material support—it is a reflection of shared history, ties, and responsibility. After the ceremony at Islamabad’s NDMA warehouse, Minister of State for Religious Affairs Kheal Das Kohistani emphasized the spiritual and national duty to stand with neighboring communities in crisis. For many affected families, these supplies will offer more than shelter—they represent hope. 

Several regional players, including India, Iran, Turkey, and European nations, have also opened supply channels. Yet Pakistan’s logistical advantage—seen in its swift convoy dispatch—stands out. With aid supplies often delayed in rugged provinces like Kunar, early access through Torkham could save lives. 

Beyond Aid: A Call for Continued Support

While 105 tonnes of relief is significant, the scope of need remains immense. Thousands remain displaced in makeshift camps, with scarce sanitation, fresh water, and medical care—especially for children, elders, and expectant mothers. Aftershocks heighten the risk of further collapses, particularly in areas with mud-brick housing.

Pakistan’s intervention is both a lifeline and a nudge for more sustained aid mobilization. The United Nations, regional governments, and international NGOs are being urged to match not just quantity but coordination and respect for community resilience.