The recently concluded third round of UN-convened talks on Afghanistan in Doha was productive, said Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the Afghan delegation at the conference. Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, declared the third meeting held in Doha a resounding success, saying Afghanistan’s messages were conveyed to all participating countries.
Taliban Urge Unfreezing of Afghan Funds, Lifting of Sanctions
Kabul 24: Addressing the gathering, Mujahid urged unfreezing Afghan funds and lifting banking sanctions that have cut off the country from the international financial system, saying such actions were hindering the economic progress his government was aiming for. “Afghans are questioning why the easing of sanctions on financial and trade sectors remains slow-paced? Why the government and the private sector are consistently confronting various challenges?” Mujahid asked the gathering that included representatives from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Taliban Pledge No Tolerance for Great Powers Rivalry on Afghan Soil
Speaking at a conference in Kabul after the Doha meeting, Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghanistan is not isolated and has good relations with most countries around the world.
He also told journalists that Afghanistan will never be allowed to become a field for global political rivalries. “We do not allow Afghanistan to become a battleground for world powers. We want Afghanistan to be a hub for attracting cooperation and a point of connection between countries, not division,” Mujahid stated.
Taliban Call for Separation of Human Rights Issues from Politics
According to Mujahid, human rights issues and girls’ education should be separated from political issues, and the world should not use them as a tool to pressure the caretaker government. He said the Taliban would be committed to global conventions when the Islamic Emirate is recognized under the United Nations framework and these conventions comply with Islamic Sharia.
UN Clarifies Doha Meeting Not a Recognition of Taliban Government
A U.N. representative clarified on Monday that the recent UN-led gathering in Qatar involving the Taliban does not equate to endorsing their administration. The event marked the first instance where officials from the Afghan Taliban regime partook in such a U.N.-backed event.
Criticism Over Exclusion of Women, Civil Society from Doha Talks
While the Taliban delegation head did not directly reference the ban on girls’ education and women’s employment in most sectors, or curbs on their mobility, various countries, such as Canada, expressed discontent over the absence of women and civil society representatives at the Doha talks. The U.N. emphasized the importance of including women and civil society in shaping Afghanistan’s future, despite their absence from direct talks with the Taliban authorities during the meeting.
