The government has approved a donation of 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan in the absence of any major assistance from the world community for the cash-starved neighbour.

Pakistan has earlier granted a one-time approval for India to send wheat aid to Afghanistan. It has now matched a similar offer but the delivery of the Indian wheat remained pending because of the non-resolution of logistic issues between Islamabad and New Delhi.

The Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet on Monday approved the proposal for the donation of 50,000 Metric Tons of wheat to Afghanistan. The meeting presided over by Minister for Economic Affairs Omar Ayub Khan also recommended relaxation of ban on exporting wheat/wheat flour to Afghanistan.