RASC News Agency: Abdul Salam Zaif, the former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan, issues a warning that “Afghanistan’s mines have fallen into the hands of greedy thieves.” In his latest column penned on Tuesday, Apr 2, the ex-Taliban ambassador emphasizes the necessity of employing a smart, professional, and precise strategy to safeguard the country’s valuable mines from these “greedy thieves.”
Abdul Salam Zaif further remarks, “Fortunately, Afghanistan is naturally wealthy and strategically influential; unfortunately, it continually grapples with perilous challenges owing to its geographical location.” Mr. Zaif cautions that a ring of mafia leaders and corrupt officials are selling off the country’s mines at low prices, without specifying the countries involved in this illicit process.
Following their seizure of power, the Taliban have monopolized the extraction of mines and underground resources in a clandestine and wholly ambiguous manner, involving certain private entities. It is alleged that under the Taliban’s rule, the extraction of the country’s underground resources is conducted arbitrarily and unprofessionally, disregarding international standards.
Previously, international sources have reported that Taliban leaders, particularly Hibatullah Akhundzada and Sirajuddin Haqqani, share 25 percent of Afghanistan’s gold mines revenue with the Al-Qaeda group, providing them with spouses and residences.
