US Sanctions Are Crippling Afghanistan’s Private Sector, Says Herat Governor

Herat governor claims US sanctions cripple Afghanistan’s private sector, challenging inclusivity criticisms and urging free operation.

US Sanctions Are Crippling Afghanistan’s Private Sector, Says Herat Governor The governor of Herat, Noor Ahmad Islamjar, stated in a meeting with UNAMA’s political deputy that U.S. sanctions are the most significant challenge facing Afghanistan’s private sector. Addressing criticism of Kabul over the lack of an inclusive government, Islamjar pointed out that the same families have ruled several countries for years without facing similar demands for inclusivity. He emphasized that Afghanistan’s current government is already inclusive and argued that the real obstacle for the private sector is the U.S. sanctions and the freezing of Afghanistan’s foreign currency reserves. “The biggest issue for Afghanistan’s private sector is the freezing of their bank accounts,” Islamjar said. “We urge the international community to allow the private sector to operate freely.”