President of the World Bank Group, David Malpass has commended the support extended by the government of Pakistan in evacuating and temporarily relocating their staff along with families from Kabul despite the rapidly evolving situation in Afghanistan.
The World Bank appreciated the support for rapid visa processing, safe passage in Kabul to the airport, and chartering the aeroplane of Pakistan International Airlines which moved the staff and families to safety, said a statement issued on Wednesday.
The World Bank thanked the prime minister and finance minister along with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Interior and other departments for the hospitality and courtesy extended to the World Bank Group staff and families.
Earlier, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday thanked Pakistan for swiftly evacuating its staff members and their families from Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul on August 15.
IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva sent a note of thanks to Prime Minister Imran Khan, besides a tweet, expressing gratitude over the “safe and swift evacuation” of its staff from Afghanistan
She tweeted, “#Pakistan’s efforts at the highest levels were absolutely critical to the safe and swift evacuation of IMF staff and their families from #Afghanistan. My heartfelt thanks to @ImranKhanPTI for Pakistan’s exceptional assistance in very difficult circumstances!”
In the letter shared by the PM Office on Tuesday, the IMF chief said, “I wish to offer my deep and sincere gratitude on behalf of the International Monetary Fund and its staff for Pakistan’s assistance, in the safe and swift evacuation of Fund personnel and their families from Afghanistan,” reads the letter dated 23 August 2020, as .
Georgieva said the IMF is grateful for the partnership with Pakistan and looks forward to continuing the cooperation. She also extended best wishes to Prime Minister Imran Khan and the people of Pakistan.
Thousands of diplomats and foreign workers were desperate to fly out of Afghanistan after the Taliban victoriously entered Kabul about 20 years after their government was toppled by the invading American forces. Among the people who wanted to leave the war-battered country were the staff members of international financial institutions like the IMF and the World Bank who were evacuated by the Pakistani authorities.
