Taliban minister warns of possible interference by neighbouring countries in Afghanistan

Abdul Latif Mansoor, acting minister of rural rehabilitation and development in the Taliban administration, warned at a meeting in Panjshir province of the possibility of interference by neighbouring countries in Afghanistan’s affairs and said the Taliban administration should not create the conditions for such interference.

He claimed that some neighbouring countries do not tolerate Afghanistan’s progress and, according to him, are not committed to the principles of good neighbourly relations with Kabul. Mansoor did not provide further details about those countries or the possible nature of the interference.

The acting minister of rural rehabilitation and development in the Taliban administration also said work has begun on 3,200 social and livelihood projects in 23 provinces. According to him, the projects will cost $87 million and are funded by the World Bank.

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development is among the bodies responsible for implementing rural projects in Afghanistan and usually oversees programmes related to local infrastructure and improving livelihoods in rural areas.