France evacuates 300 people from Afghanistan

A French spokesperson confirmed that France had carried out an evacuation mission in the troubled nation of Afghanistan which saw at least 258 Afghans as well as 11 French, some 60 Dutch nationals and several others leaving the country, an Al Jazeera report said.

The move comes amidst the efforts by France and Qatar to conduct a humanitarian mission to the citizens of Afghanistan by providing medical equipment, food and winter supplies to the ravaged nation which faces a global economic blockade as well as political uncertainty in the winter to come.

Since September 10, at least 110 French people and 396 Afghans have been evacuated from Afghanistan on 10 flights organised with the help of Qatar, the statement from France added. The recent evacuation efforts were carried out with the help of Qatar and the evacuees included Afghans who were at risk, such as journalists and people with links to France, including civilian workers employed by the French army.

The Pakistani government has also allowed access to its roads for Indian aid to reach Afghanistan, two months after India offered humanitarian aid and supplies.

A statement by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said, "With a view to further facilitate Pakistan's decision to allow transportation of 50,000 MT of wheat and life saving medicines from India to Afghanistan via Wagah border on an exceptional basis for humanitarian purposes, it has been decided to also allow the use of Afghan trucks for transportation from Wagah border to Torkham."

The UN has projected a bleack outlook for the country with widespread poverty on the horizons by 2022.