Taliban PM Akhund breaks silence after three months in power

The Taliban's de facto prime minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund addressed the nation in a pre-recorded audio message nearly three months after his appointment.
Akhund's long-awaited message was released by state-run television on Saturday evening after repeated criticism for his failure to speak during official meetings.
In his speech, Akhund said Taliban forces had fulfilled their promises by continuing their fight against foreign forces until the establishment of an Islamic government and the stabilization of the country.
He further claimed that famine, unemployment, and the spike in prices had existed in the country before the Taliban's takeover. He called on the nation to be thankful for the Taliban regime.
The Taliban premier stated that the country's economic crisis would be resolved if around 9 billion dollars of the Afghan central bank reserves, which are mostly parked in the United States, are released.
Millions of Afghans have lost their main source of income following the collapse of the internationally-backed Afghan government in August. UN agencies have warned of a humanitarian crisis in the country.
No country has officially recognized the Taliban government. The international community is calling on the regime to form a broadly representative government and respect human and women's rights.
Akhund claimed his government was inclusive and that women's rights were being respected.
However, in the current government, more than 90 per cent of those in power are from one ethnic group and there is no female representation.