[WASHINGTON] Despite its swift takeover of the government in Afghanistan, the Taleban will not have access to most of the nation's cash and gold stocks, while the IMF announced it won't provide aid.
A spokesperson for the Washington-based crisis lender on Wednesday said it had decided to withhold its assistance to Afghanistan amid uncertainty over the status of the leadership in Kabul.
"There is currently a lack of clarity within the international community regarding recognition of a government in Afghanistan, as a consequence of which the country cannot access... IMF resources," the official said.
Central bank governor Ajmal Ahmady said on Twitter the Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB) had around US$9 billion in reserves, but most of that is held overseas, out of reach of the Taleban.