The Taliban mentioned on Saturday they have been getting ready a brand new cupboard because the US withdrawal neared its finish and hoped the sharp forex fall and financial turmoil following the takeover of Kabul two weeks in the past would ease.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the motion’s chief spokesman, made the remarks to Reuters because the US army winds up its mission to evacuate American civilians and weak Afghans and withdraw troops from Kabul airport earlier than the August 31 deadline set by President Joe Biden.
The Mujahid condemned an in a single day US drone strike in opposition to Islamic State militants following a suicide assault close to the airport on Thursday and described it as a “clear attack on Afghan territory”.
But he appealed to the United States and different Western nations to take care of diplomatic relations after his return, which he hoped can be accomplished “very soon”.
The precise timing of the formation of the brand new cupboard remained unclear. Reuters initially quoted Mujahid as saying that the announcement can be made within the coming week, however later in a voice message he mentioned the make-up of the brand new cupboard can be authorized “in a week or two”.
Asked whether or not a girl can be inducted into the brand new cupboard, he mentioned it might be a matter for the management to resolve and he couldn’t predict what their determination can be.
Frustration is mounting in Kabul over extreme financial hardship brought on by a falling forex and rising meals costs, with banks closing even two weeks after the town’s fall for the Taliban.
A Taliban assertion on Saturday mentioned banks had been ordered to reopen with a weekly restrict on withdrawals of $200, or 20,000 Afghans.
Mujahid mentioned officers have already been appointed to run key establishments, together with the ministries of public well being and training and the central financial institution. UN officers have warned that Afghanistan is dealing with a humanitarian disaster, with massive elements of the nation struggling excessive drought situations.
The economic system, shattered after 4 a long time of battle, can also be dealing with the lack of billions of {dollars} in international support after the withdrawal of Western embassies from the nation.
Mujahid mentioned that after the brand new authorities is fashioned, the financial issues being skilled might be eased.
“Afghani’s fall against foreign currency is temporary and will return to normal once the government system starts functioning due to the sudden changed situation,” he mentioned.
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With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
