KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban’s Ministry of Finance said in a statement on Wednesday that its officials met to evaluate Afghanistan’s economic conditions as the country grapples with a weakening currency and rising food prices following the suspension of U.S. aid.
The meeting, led by Taliban Finance Minister Mohammad Nasir Akhund, addressed trade, humanitarian aid, currency stability, and the broader economic impact of foreign policy shifts, according to the statement.
Despite the declining value of the afghani and surging food costs, the ministry claimed that its assessments indicated the country’s “economic situation appears normal.” The Taliban blamed the afghani’s depreciation—particularly against the U.S. dollar—on “negative propaganda.”
Earlier this week, the exchange rate surpassed 80 afghanis per U.S. dollar, leading to further increases in food prices.
The World Bank has previously warned that Afghanistan’s economic outlook remains fragile.
