Taliban Calls On Muslim Countries To Recognize Afghan Government, PM Akhund: Not For Us, But For The People

JAKARTA - Afghanistan's prime minister under the Taliban on Wednesday called on Muslim countries to be the first to officially recognize the Afghan government that seized power in August.

"I call on Muslim countries to take the lead and recognize us officially. Then I hope we can develop quickly," Prime Minister Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund explained at a conference in Kabul to tackle the country's massive economic crisis, citing the Korea Times of AFP January 19.

To date, no country has recognized Taliban rule, with Western countries witnessing how the hardline Islamist group, notorious for human rights abuses during their first term in power between 1996 and 2001, will rule this time.

However, countries face the difficult task of channeling aid to overcome economic hardships that are plaguing the regime without shoring up regimes, with many members of what the Taliban calls interim governments on international sanctions lists.

"We don't want anyone's help. We don't want it for the officials," said Prime Minister Akhund, referring to the government's confession.

"We want it for our public," he said, adding the Taliban had fulfilled all the necessary conditions by restoring peace and security.