Top Taliban leader, Afghanistan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, said that the new Taliban regime wants good relationships with all countries, and has no issue with the United States, urging the U.S. to release frozen funds.
In a rare interview with the Associated Press on Sunday, Muttaqi said that the new Taliban rulers are committed in principle to education and jobs for women and girls and that they seek the world’s compassion in helping millions of Afghans in need.
The frozen funds in question are substantial. The U.S. and other allied countries froze upward of $10 billion in funding as soon as the Taliban overtook Afghanistan on August 15 of this year.
Muttaqi said that sanctions against Afghanistan and against the Taliban will not have any benefit. He said that making the country unstable or forcing a weak government is not in anyone’s interest.
On the issue of women’s rights, Muttaqi acknowledged the world’s continued and growing outrage at the Taliban restrictions and vast limitations on women and girls. The Taliban imposed restrictions on education for women and girls, as well as restricted women’s right to work.
The clamping down on education has been a huge point of contention globally. In many parts of the country, high school girls have not been allowed back to school since the Taliban swept in. In the workforce, women have been let go of jobs or told not to report back, especially in civil service, government, and judicial positions.
When the Taliban first ruled Afghanistan from 1996 through 2001, they barred all women and girls from school and work. Massive restrictions were also placed on entertainment and sports.
Muttaqi says the Taliban has changed since 2001, and has “made progress in administration and in politics” in order to interact with the world.
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