Azizi Bank Chief Defends Taliban’s Management of Afghanistan’s Banking System
The head of Azizi Bank asserts that Afghanistan’s banking system under Taliban administration has not only been preserved but also strengthened. Mervais Azizi, in an interview with a private media outlet, emphasized that the management of Afghanistan’s banking system has surprised some international observers.
He compared Afghanistan’s economic situation with that of Lebanon, noting that Lebanon’s banking system eventually faced a crisis, whereas Afghanistan’s banking system has maintained its stability.
Azizi also claimed that over the past nearly five years, in addition to the banking system’s continuity, progress has been made in areas such as controlling inflation, stabilizing the value of the Afghani, and managing the financial system.
These statements come at a time when, after the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistan’s banking system has faced international restrictions, the freezing of Afghan assets abroad, and reduced global financial interactions. Despite Taliban officials and some economic activists emphasizing financial stability, concerns persist among experts and the population due to a lack of sufficient transparency and limited access to banking services.
