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IEA bans use of foreign currencies in bid to stabilize Afghan currency
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) officials on Tuesday banned the use of foreign currencies for commercial transactions in the country in a bid to stabilize the plummeting national currency, the Afghani (AFN).
Mawlawi Abdul Salam Hanafi, deputy prime minister, who is heading up a commission to curb the currency’s freefall, said at a press conference that the AFN would stabilize on the back of steps being taken.
“We have ordered clerics, local officials and security forces to prevent the use of foreign currencies [being used] in Afghanistan,” said Hanafi.
Mawlawi Hanafi warned that the authorities would take serious action against anyone found to be using, hoarding or smuggling foreign currencies.
This comes as Afghanistan grapples with an economic crisis following the sudden collapse of the previous government, the suspension of foreign donor money and the freezing of foreign assets.
Officials have however said there has been an increase in national revenue generated and that serious efforts are being made to stabilize the economy.
Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, first deputy prime minister of Afghanistan, meanwhile said while visiting an expo of domestic products in Kabul city that the humanitarian crisis, particularly the lack of food, will create challenges for the region and the world.
Mullah Baradar also criticized the international community for its silence over the issue of Afghanistan’s frozen assets.
“Why is the world silent about what the US is doing? The money did not belong to [former president] Ashraf Ghani; it belongs to the nation. Why is the US doing this? Why is the world silent? It is the nation’s money and it should be returned,” he said.
Regarding the issue of not recognizing the IEA as Afghanistan’s government, Mullah Baradar said the world is pursuing its own goals but that the IEA is committed to issues of national interest.
“We call on the international community to recognize the IEA and release Afghanistan’s frozen assets to solve the problems,” said Mullah Baradar.
The White House said on Monday that they are not yet willing to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets, which amount to over $9 billion.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met with Arafat Jamal, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) representative in Afghanistan, to discuss the safe, dignified and voluntary return of Afghan refugees and support for those returning to the country.
According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting focused on the return of Afghan refugees and measures to provide them with assistance and support following their arrival in Afghanistan.
The two sides also discussed strengthening cooperation and coordination between the Afghan government and UNHCR to improve conditions for returnees.
The meeting further addressed the need to coordinate the efforts of relevant countries and international organizations involved in, or interested in, supporting the return and reintegration of Afghan refugees.
The discussions come as the issue of Afghan refugee returns remains a key humanitarian and regional concern, with international organizations emphasizing the need for safe and dignified returns and continued assistance to returning families.
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Muttaqi, UN official discuss cooperation and Doha Process
The ministry said Muttaqi and DiCarlo also shared views on future engagement and cooperation regarding the Doha Process.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi held a phone call with Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
According to the ministry, the two sides discussed the overall state of cooperation between the Islamic Emirate and the United Nations and exchanged views on ways to further strengthen and expand future cooperation.
The ministry said Muttaqi and DiCarlo also shared views on future engagement and cooperation regarding the Doha Process.
No further details were provided about the timing of the next round of engagement or specific areas of cooperation.
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Maryam Nawaz says Punjab faces greater security threats from neighbouring provinces
Punjab shares borders with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to the north and west, Sindh to the south and India to the east.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif says the province faces greater security threats from neighbouring Pakistani provinces than from neighbouring countries.
Speaking at an event in Lahore on Saturday, Maryam said her priority was to ensure that people in Punjab could sleep without fear.
“Threats to Punjab from neighbouring countries are fewer, while greater threats come from neighbouring provinces,” she said.
She added that terrorist attacks enter Punjab from these areas.
Punjab shares borders with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan to the north and west, Sindh to the south and India to the east.
Her comments come as Pakistan’s government has repeatedly accused India and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan of contributing to insecurity, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The Islamic Emirate has rejected the allegations, saying insecurity in Pakistan stems from the country’s internal problems.
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