ISLAMABAD: The US State Department stated that US officials informed Afghanistan’s Taliban about their openness to technical talks on economic stability and discussions on combating narcotics trafficking during two days of talks in Qatar.
Taliban officials raised concerns about the lifting of travel and other restrictions on their leaders. And the return of Afghan central bank assets held abroad, as per the Kabul administration.
No country has officially recognized the Taliban since they returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces after a 20-year conflict.
The State Department’s statement mentions that the US side reiterated concerns about “deteriorating” human rights. And urged the Taliban to reverse bans on girls’ secondary education and women’s employment. Additionally, they called for the release of detained Americans.
The US side also expressed positive views on improved financial data. Including lower inflation, and reduced opium poppy cultivation due to a ban imposed in 2022. They voiced openness to continue dialogue on counter narcotics and were ready for a technical dialogue on economic stabilization issues soon.
Most Taliban leaders require UN permission to travel abroad. Afghanistan’s banking sector has been severely impacting by sanctions since the Taliban’s takeover.
The Taliban administration, known as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), stress the importance of lifting travel bans. On their leaders and unfreezing central bank reserves to establish an economy independent of foreign aid.
After the Taliban came to power, around $7 billion in Afghan central bank funds were frozen in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. With half of the funds now held in a Swiss-based Afghan Fund.
However, a US-funded audit of the Afghan central bank did not receive Washington’s support for the return of assets from the trust fund.
