Business / May use Pakistani currency for trade with Afghanistan instead of US dollar: Pak Minister

Zoom News : Sep 10, 2021, 06:03 PM
Islamabad: Pakistan finance minister Shaukat Tarin on Thursday remarked that Islamabad might refer human resources to Afghanistan to operate various affairs as the Taliban has derived into power again later a break of two decades.

He made the comments while addressing a session of the Senate Standing Committee in which he also talked about the future framework of trade between Pakistan and Afghanistan, according to local media reports.

Tarin also stated that Pakistani currency will be used for two-sided trade with Afghanistan, as an alternative to the US dollar.

Pakistan finance minister further revealed that the recently formed Taliban government in Afghanistan is facing a lack of dollars as international financial institutions have detained its assets.

Tarin's remarks on sending people to Afghanistan drew a sharp reaction on social media, especially after the recent visit of the ISI chief Faiz Hameed to Kabul underlined the Pakistan hand behind the Taliban.

On Tuesday, the Taliban unveiled their cabinet as the group formally announced their government after taking over Afghanistan in a lightning offensive last month.

"It is just an "acting" government that will be led by Mullah Mohammad Hassan, the little-known head of the Taliban’s leadership council. Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the face of the Islamist group, will serve as his deputy," said Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid during a press conference in Kabul.

The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan on August 15, two weeks before the US was set to complete its troop withdrawal after a costly two-decade war.

The insurgents stormed across the country, capturing all major cities in a matter of days, as Afghan security forces trained and equipped by the US and its allies melted away.

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