RASC News Agency: The recent report from the US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has raised significant concerns regarding the Taliban’s misappropriation of funds from the Central Bank of Afghanistan. In a 55-page report submitted to the US Congress on January 8th, SIGAR underscored that these funds were not being utilized for the betterment of the Afghan people; rather, the Taliban diverted these resources for their own interests, a distressing revelation. The report, initiated at the request of the chairman of the foreign relations committee of the US House of Representatives, was presented to Michael McCall.
John Sopko, the head of SIGAR, conveyed his apprehensions to Michael McCall, noting that while the fund’s decision-making process avoids involvement in high-risk activities, there exists no control mechanism to prevent the Taliban’s exploitation of the funds. Furthermore, SIGAR expressed worries about the Taliban’s role in appointing an official responsible for monitoring suspicious financial activities. Hayatullah Badri, listed as an international terrorist by the US, currently leads the unit known as “Fine Turka.” “Fine Turka” is tasked with overseeing and preventing illicit financial activities like money laundering and terrorism financing within Afghanistan’s financial and banking systems.
The SIGAR report illuminates the alarming misapplication of funds by the Taliban and underscores the absence of control mechanisms to curb it. It stresses that Afghanistan’s assets should be employed for the well-being of the Afghanistani people and national interests rather than furthering the Taliban’s self-serving agenda. The report also underscores the imperative for a more robust monitoring system to forestall fund misuse and the engagement of individuals with ties to international terrorism in financial activities. It is vital for the US Congress and relevant authorities to address these concerns promptly and take necessary actions to safeguard the funds, ensuring their appropriate utilization for Afghanistan’s development and stability.
