Lift sanctions, release assets, Kabul urges world

KABUL (Pajhwok): Struggling to help survivors of a deadly quake, the Taliban government has urged the global fraternity to lift sanctions and unfreeze the central bank’s assets.

Wednesday’s earthquake killed more than 1,000 people and left thousands homeless in southeastern Paktia and Khost provinces.

In an interview with a British media outlet on Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman called for rolling back the sanctions on Taliban leaders and releasing Da Afghanistan Bank’s assets.

Abdul Qahar Balkhi told Reuters: “The Islamic Emirate is asking the world to give the Afghans their most basic right, which is their right to life and that is through lifting the sanctions and unfreezing our assets.”

The US and its allies have blocked billions of dollars in Afghanistan’s foreign reserves, as more than 50 percent of the country’s population is faced with a serious food crisis.

In response to a query, Balkhi said Afghans’ right to life-saving funds should be the priority in the existing circumstances.

He went on to add: “Sixteen countries have taken away the rights of religious minorities, especially Muslims. Are they also facing sanctions because they are violating rights?”

PAN Monitor/mud

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