Taliban Defence Minister Says Government Seeks Engagement With World

Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the acting defence minister of the Taliban administration, said at a ceremony marking the anniversary of Afghanistan’s regained independence that the administration wants engagement with the world and is ready to establish relations with all countries.

Speaking at the event on 28 Asad, he claimed that Afghanistan is now independent and that its political, economic and military affairs are under the influence of no other country. According to him, the people of Afghanistan have never accepted subjugation and have protected national and Islamic values through their sacrifices.

The Taliban administration’s acting defence minister also claimed that Afghanistan has been saved from collapse and has once again been linked to its values. He added that no party would be allowed to use Afghan soil to pose a threat to any country, and that the country would move towards self-sufficiency.

The Taliban administration is stressing engagement with the world at a time when, since returning to power, it continues to face political isolation and the lack of formal recognition from most countries. Afghanistan’s Independence Day is celebrated every year as one of the country’s important national occasions.