Afghanistan has urged the government of the United States to lift sanctions on the country and unfreeze its foreign exchange reserves to avoid a humanitarian crisis in the already war-torn country.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi on Wednesday issued a statement saying that 2021 will mark the “centennial of relations between Afghanistan and America”.
He added, “Without any doubt, the two-decades war after October 7, 2001, cast a shadow over relations of American and Afghan people, but fortunately, the end result of this long war was guaranteed and resolved through a bilateral [Doha] agreement.”
Balkhi said that the Taliban were interested in “establishing positive relations with all world governments, including the American administration”.
He remarked, “Afghanistan now has everything available for growth and development, and the United States of America can also invest in the manufacturing, agriculture, and mining sectors of Afghanistan.”
He said that sanctions were imposed on Afghanistan despite the Doha agreement and asked the US to explain the “logic” behind the freezing of the assets.
Balkhi continued, “At a time when we have an excellent opportunity for positive relations, reaching for the option of sanctions and pressure cannot help improve our relations.”
He added, “We understand the concerns of the international community and America, and it is necessary for both sides to take positive steps in order to build trust”.
We are worried that if the current situation persists, the Afghan government as well as the people will face problems and will become a reason for mass migration in the region and the world which will result in the creation of more humanitarian and economic issues for the international community.
The Taliban spokesperson advised the US Congress to inspect the issue through the prism of justice and approach the matter in a non-partisan manner.
