Afghan Taliban’s Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Calls for Expanding Economic Ties with Regional Countries
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban administration’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, urged regional and global countries to ease economic pressures and sanctions on Afghanistan and to expand economic relations instead.
According to a statement released by the Deputy Prime Minister’s Economic Office, Baradar made these remarks on Saturday, December 20, during the opening ceremony of a commercial market in Balkh province.
Baradar stated that a stable and prosperous Afghanistan would not be detrimental to other countries; rather, it could contribute to economic growth and strengthen trade relations across the region. He emphasized that economic cooperation can create mutual benefits for all parties involved.
The Taliban’s economic deputy added that the administration believes in regional and international cooperation based on economic and political principles. However, he stressed that such cooperation must be founded on mutual respect for fundamental values and principles.
He also noted the Taliban administration’s engagement with the private sector as a sign of readiness to implement large and long-term projects. Through public-private partnerships and other agreements, Baradar said, opportunities for both domestic and foreign investment have been created.
However, critics argue that the continuation of sanctions and hesitancy from the international community stem from concerns over political legitimacy and human rights conditions in Afghanistan—issues on which the Taliban administration has yet to provide clear and satisfactory responses.
