Mulla Haibatullah urges world to recognise Taliban’s regime in Afghanistan

KABUL: The supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mulla Haibatullah Akhunzada, has called on the international community to recognise the “Islamic Emirate” of Afghanistan in a message ahead of Eid holidays.

The Taliban-led government is yet to be recognised by any country since it returned to power last August, 20 years after it was toppled in a US-led invasion.

“Afghanistan has its role in world peace and stability. According to this need, the world should recognise the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” Akhunzada said in a written message ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

Akhunzada said the world had become a “small village” and proper diplomatic relations would help solve the country’s problems.

In January, Afghanistan’s acting prime minister, Hasan Akhund, called on the international community to officially recognise the “Islamic Emirate” as the Taliban has been trying to end diplomatic isolation.

The Taliban had promised women’s rights and media freedom a day after it returned to power after the West-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani collapsed.

But the group has faced criticism for reintroducing the hardline rule that is increasingly excluding women from public life. It has also been accused of human rights violations.

Akhunzada did not mention international demands – including reopening secondary schools for girls and inclusive government. Instead, he said recognition should come first “so that we may address our problems formally and within diplomatic norms and principles”.

Akhunzada’s Eid message comes as the country has been rocked by a series of bomb blasts – the latest attack targeting the minority Shia Hazara community claimed by the ISIL (ISIS) group.

At least nine people were killed on Thursday in an attack against Shia Muslims in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.

Akhunzada made no mention of insecurity, but said the country had been able to build “a strong Islamic and national army”, as well as “a strong intelligence organisation”.