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G7 Should Unfreeze Funds as Af...The G7 countries used funding as leverage with the Taliban as evacuations are underway.
A severely distorted economy does not allow anyone to govern freely. In other words, the scarcity of funds frustrates decision-makers and those in control. A country like Afghanistan is set for failure given the existing circumstances promise nothing short of a disaster. Not to forget that it is home to around 38 million people.
Even though the Taliban presence in the country hints at a disastrous future, the world cannot ignore ordinary Afghans, who have supported NATO alliance military forces for over two decades. Freezing funds is not an option at the moment. The economic upheaval could leave the country high and dry, which could further fuel the illicit drug trade. The chances of higher inflation, food shortages, mass unemployment, cannot be ruled out.
While minimizing funds flow to the Taliban, institutions can prop up basic services. If this is taken care of Afghanistan should survive this blow too. The country has many functioning sectors including healthcare and education. According to a Reuters report, secondary school enrollment witnessed a considerable rise — from 12 percent in 2001 to 55 percent in 2018.
Currently, there’s an obstacle impounding funds movement to the country: The G7 countries used funding as leverage with the Taliban as evacuations are underway. This could further promote extremism and aggravate the refugee crisis. Besides, if the economy continues to plummet, ordinary Afghans might take up arms, which will worsen the problems.
The Taliban recently appointed Haji Mohammad Idris as the new acting head of the Afghanistan central bank.