Taliban supreme leader encourages investment in Afghanistan

The supreme leader of Afghanistan's Taliban-run administration has invited domestic and foreign companies to invest in Afghanistan and also called upon Afghans to get together and rebuild their war-torn country.

Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada made the remarks in his message on account of Eid-al-Fitr, marking the end of Muslim fasting month Ramadan.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan attaches great importance to reconstruction of the country for which it has assigned a competent economic committee to utilize all existing capacities toward the development of the country," he said in his message released by the state-run news agency Bakhtar on Friday.

Hibatullah also described Afghanistan as the common home of all Afghans and urged those who left their country to return home.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants positive relations with the countries of the region and the world. We allow none to pose a threat to other countries from Afghanistan and we also want other countries to engage with us on mutual respect," the message said.

The supreme leader expressed his resolve to ban poppy cultivation and drug-producing in his country, saying his administration would address the problems of farmers and the fellow citizens in general by providing alternative livelihoods, reports UNB.

Hibatullah also called upon international health organizations and aid institutions to help the people of Afghanistan in the health sector, which is facing a shortage of medicines, professional staff and medical equipment.

He also highlighted education as "the key to rescue our compatriots and pave the way towards country's development and prosperity."

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is working to strengthen education and learning, opening new schools and madrassas (religious schools) in many central and remote areas of the country for religious and modern education, and providing a safe environment for education," he said.