Afghan Daily Challenges Taliban Claims of Economic Progress

Kabul: Afghanistan's respected local newspaper Hasht-e Subh has published a detailed report based on ground realities, rejecting the Taliban regime's claims of economic progress. According to the report, security challenges in neighboring countries, combined with ineffective domestic policies, have pushed ordinary Afghans deeper into economic hardship, creating a widening gap between the authorities and the public.

Hunger and Unemployment Overshadow Kabul

According to the newspaper's investigation, the living conditions of ordinary citizens in Kabul and other cities have deteriorated significantly. The report states that, contrary to official claims of economic stability, many Afghans can no longer afford even a single daily meal.

The report highlights the following key findings regarding Afghan workers and citizens:

• Limited Employment Opportunities: Under Taliban rule, local markets have declined, and employment opportunities have become extremely scarce.
• Collapse of Foreign Investment: Due to the lack of international recognition and inadequate basic infrastructure, foreign investment in Afghanistan has come to a complete halt.
• Public Reaction: Afghan laborers said the country's leadership should assess the real conditions of hunger and poverty in local communities before making claims of economic development.

Restrictions on Women: A Major Cause of Economic Decline

The report states that the Taliban's decision to exclude women from economic activities and impose strict restrictions on them has severely damaged Afghanistan's economy.

UN Development Administrator's Statement

The findings of the Hasht-e Subh report are also supported by recent remarks from UN Development Administrator Achim Steiner, who stated that Afghanistan's economy cannot achieve sustainable recovery without the active participation of women.

According to international experts:

"The reports by the Afghan newspaper and the United Nations clearly demonstrate that no country can achieve economic self-sufficiency by excluding half of its population. The Taliban regime's current policies are driving Afghanistan toward deeper economic hardship."