A Taliban official has blamed Western sanctions for Afghanistan’s deepening humanitarian crisis.

“It is not the result of our activities. It is the result of the sanctions imposed on Afghanistan,” Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen told Sky News.

“During the last six months we have done what we have in our capacity to do for the people of Afghanistan, in order to alleviate the suffering, the problems of the people of Afghanistan, “ he said.

“But it needs the international community to cooperate with us, not to punish the people of Afghanistan by imposing unjustified sanctions on the country.”

When the Taliban seized Afghanistan from the Western-backed government last year, virtually all international funding was immediately halted.

While some funding was later resumed, billions of dollars in Afghan money held in international banks have been frozen since the Taliban victory.

To have the US-led sanctions regime lifted, Washington and its allies have demanded that the Taliban guarantee women’s rights, open education for all, and form an inclusive government.

Taliban spokesman said the Taliban have already implemented these changes, but many in the West disagree.