KABUL, 17 March, 2021 (TON): Taliban have not significantly changed their high levels of violence, or military and political objectives, said John Sopko, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction at the House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on National Security.

On Tuesday Spoko said, "Security remains the most crucial and enduring high-risk area for Afghanistan."

"Terrorist groups in Afghanistan like Daesh and al-Qaeda, although reduced, remain in the country," he added.

While referring to Afghan women and girls among the peace talks, he said, “Discrimination persists, and possible policy changes by whatever form of government might follow an Afghan peace agreement could undermine women's gains."

"Afghanistan is poor and suffers from illiteracy, inadequate infrastructure, weak governance, and now, heavy impacts from the Covid pandemic," Spoko said.

However, the UN Development Program estimates that poverty in Afghanistan, defined as an income of 2,064 Afghanis per person per month (around $1 a day), has increased to 68 percent from its pre-pandemic level of 55 percent.