Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate, at the inauguration ceremony of the third Doha meeting on Afghanistan, said that Kabul’s participation demonstrates that the Islamic Emirate is committed to positive engagement.

Speaking at the meeting, Mujahid said that the Islamic Emirate perceives the current Doha meeting as a crucial opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue regarding the unilateral and multilateral sanctions imposed on some officials and the financial and banking sectors.

“Our participation in this Doha meeting demonstrates that, despite the considerations we have, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is committed to positive engagement. We perceive the current Doha meeting as a crucial opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue regarding the unilateral and multilateral sanctions imposed on some officials and our financial and banking sectors, as well as the broader challenges confronting our national economy. This forum represents a positive step towards addressing these issues and providing reassurance to the Afghan people that the imposed restrictions on our nation will be alleviated in due course.”

Zabihullah Mujahid accepted that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate, saying, “I do not deny that some countries may have problems with some measures of the Islamic Emirate. I think that policy differences amid states are natural, and it is the duty of experienced diplomats to find ways of interaction and understanding rather than confrontation.”
The head of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate added that the current Afghan government banned the cultivation, processing and smuggling of poppy which affected the world.
“In addition, despite unilateral and multilateral sanctions and pressures, we banned the cultivation, processing and smuggling of poppy which affected the world. Poppy cultivation, which remained as a significant challenge in Afghanistan, we reduced it to almost zero; however, in contrast, instead of recognizing and commending these initiatives, lifting banking restrictions to stimulate the country's economy and unfreezing national reserves, some countries have continued with their policy of non-cooperation.”

Speaking of the humanitarian aid provided by countries of the world to Afghanistan, Mujahid said that solution to the economic obstacles of Afghans is to remove unilateral and multilateral sanctions.

“We appreciate the countries that provide humanitarian aid, however, the main solution to the economic obstacles of Afghans is to remove unilateral and multilateral sanctions, provide development aid and allow the government and people of Afghanistan to utilize their capacities without restrictions for the revival of the national economy.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, speaking to participants at the meeting, said that the Islamic Emirate has the commitment and capacity to establish and maintain relations.

“The relationships with regional countries demonstrate that the Islamic Emirate has the commitment and capacity to establish and maintain relations. Consequently, other nations, particularly Western countries, can remove the obstacles hindering the development of relations with the Afghan government. Like the regional countries, they can take genuine and practical steps toward positive engagement.”

The head of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate noted that Kabul hopes that Western countries will prioritize mutual bilateral interests with the current Afghan government.

“Just as the regional countries have positively interacted with the current government of Afghanistan as a responsible system, we hope that Western countries will also prioritize mutual bilateral interests in a similar manner,” Mujahid added.

Speaking at the meeting, Mujahid said that to ensure the Doha meeting is productive and meaningful, we must focus on the following objectives:
“First, the removal of all restrictions and sanctions, as well as the annulment of previous resolutions that have created significant barriers for Afghanistan's private sector.
Second, the unfreezing of all foreign reserves of Da Afghanistan Bank, which are the legitimate property of the Afghan people…”

The head of the delegation of the Islamic Emirate stressed that the “continued freezing of these reserves has severely impaired the ability of commercial banks to meet the currency needs of their clients, both domestically and internationally. Consequently, customers are often forced to resort to illegal methods to sustain their trade operations.”