KABUL (Pajhwok): The US is preparing to announce the release of a significant portion of seized Afghan central bank funds after months of silence, a media report said on Wednesday.
The funds would be transferred to the Bank of International Settlements in Basel, Switzerland, said the Intercept -- a US-based media organisation.
According to the report, the US will set up a trusteeship to oversee the disbursement of the money for the purposes of both monetary policy and humanitarian aid.
The plan will continue to bypass the Afghan central bank, undermining one of the few institutions established by the US during the occupation.
Humanitarian and economic experts say the central bank -- which operates independently of the Afghan central government -- is best suited to the task of stabilising Afghanistan’s economy and easing the humanitarian crisis.
First reported by the Turkish outlet TRT World, the news was confirmed to The Intercept by a source involved in the negotiations.
“The funds belong to DAB and should be returned to Afghanistan,” said Suhail Shaheen, a spokesperson for the Taliban.
“In this critical time when 99% of Afghans are living under the poverty line, it is direly needed that the reserve[s] return to the country.”
nh/mud
