KABUL, 20 January 2022, (TON): The prime minister made the remarks at a high-level meeting held on Wednesday at the ARG (Presidential Palace) in Kabul to assess the status of the Afghan economy.

The meeting was attended by members of the Islamic Emirate cabinet and UN representatives as well as representatives of 20 foreign countries. 

PM Mullah Akhund also called on the international community to recognize the current Kabul administration and urged the US to release the Central Bank’s assets. 

The prime minister said “he called on the Islamic countries to not wait and let the US be the first to recognize Afghanistan, after which "you would also recognize it.”

He said “the lack of recognition is creating severe challenges in a variety of ways.”

He further said “if the economic process is implemented, I believe Afghanistan would be pulled out of the current crisis.”

Amir Khan Muttaqi, the acting minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Afghanistan already has an independent government. 

He added “it is obvious to them that Afghanistan has a government which is responsible, committed and believes in acting in mutual interest.”