RASC News Agency: The Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Taliban group recently announced the export of precious gemstones valued at two million dollars to various countries. Abdul Salam Jawad, the spokesperson for the ministry, underscored their efforts to streamline the export process across different provinces of the country. The Taliban’s precious stones have found their way to countries such as Pakistan, China, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, Kazakhstan, Russia, and others.
Despite the Taliban’s control over the country, they have exhibited a significant interest in extracting and selling precious stone mines, particularly emeralds in Panjshir province. Statistics indicate the presence of 750 registered emerald mines in Panjshir, with 500 currently active. It is noteworthy that local Taliban officials in Panjshir had previously announced the sale of emeralds extracted from the province’s mines to merchants for the ninth time. However, this action has generated widespread internal reactions from officials of the previous government and experts.
Experts underscore the potential for Afghanistan to achieve self-sufficiency for many years by effectively harnessing its natural resources, including precious stones. Nevertheless, based on information provided by the Taliban group, it seems they prioritize their own benefits and exploit a substantial portion of Afghanistan’s natural resources for personal gain. This raises concerns among both government officials and experts who acknowledge the potential economic benefits derived from responsible and sustainable resource management.
