Mansoor Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan, has called on the international community to enhance its engagement with the Taliban’s caretaker government to escape the impending threats of economic meltdown, exacerbated by widespread hunger and unemployment.
“It is important that tools of economic sanctions should not be used against the Afghan population. The Afghan foreign reserves should be handed over to Afghanistan so that it can be spent for the benefits and welfare of the people,” he stated in an interview with the Associated Press of Pakistan.
The unblocking of Afghanistan’s $9 billion in foreign reserves, according to the ambassador, has been a crucial factor in reducing the burden on the impoverished people of Afghanistan.
The Pakistani diplomat stated that increased global engagement and cooperation was a “must” for Afghanistan to achieve long-term peace and stability.
In reaction to the Taliban’s commitment to not allowing Afghan soil to be used against other countries and terrorists, the Pakistani ambassador in Afghanistan said, “We welcome this commitment. We believe that it is a very assuring commitment.”
According to a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) report, almost 24 million Afghans, including nearly 13 million children, depend on humanitarian assistance. While World Food Programme (WFP) has stated that poverty and hunger have unprecedentedly hit Afghanistan.
“Efforts of all the countries in must be towards helping Afghanistan in becoming a productive member of the international community,” he stated while commending Afghanistan’s neighboring countries.
He also expressed gratitude towards the Taliban leaders for facilitating talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) aka the Pakistani Taliban, saying “we are grateful for the facilitation provided by the Afghan government and their leaders.”
