Talibans first annual Afghan budget foresees $501 million deficit

　　div classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodivpBy Mohammad Yunus Yawarp

　　pKABUL Reuters – Afghanistan faces a budget deficit of 44 billion Afghanis 501 million this financial year, the countrys Taliban authorities said on Saturday without clarifying how the gap between expected revenues and planned spending will be met.pdivdivdiv classBodysc17zpet90 cdBBJodiv

　　pAnnouncing the first annual national budget since the Taliban took over the wartorn country in August last year, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi said the government foresaw spending of 231.4 billion Afghanis and domestic revenue of 186.7 billion.p

　　p“The revenues are collections from departments related to customs, ministries and mines,” spokesman for the Finance Ministry Ahmad Wali Haqmal said. p

　　pSince the 2001 U.S.led invasion of Afghanistan, successive Westernbacked governments relied mostly on foreign aid. In August 2021, foreign forces withdrew from Afghanistan, leading to the collapse of the government and a Taliban takeover.p

　　pThe world is yet to officially recognise the Taliban government. The country is dealing with rising security issues and an economic meltdown, while aid agencies figure out how to help 50 million Afghans without giving the Taliban direct access to funds. p

　　pHanafi said the budget for the current financial year, that runs to next February, had been approved by the council of ministries and confirmed by the Talibans supreme leader Haibatullah Akhunzada, and would use local funds only.p

　　pDevelopment works would take up 27.9 billion Afghanis, he said, but did not provide a breakdown of spending on areas such as defence.p

　　p“We have paid attention to education, technical education, and higher education and our all focus is on how to pave the way education for everyone,” Hanafi said.p

　　pTaliban authorities are yet to allow the restarting of older girls education across the country after committing to a start date earlier this year. p

　　p1 87.7500 afghanisp

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　　pp Writing by Gibran Peshimam Editing by David Holmesp

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