Swedish aid group suspends operations in Afghanistan after Taliban ban

By Leila Nezirevic

LONDON (AA) - The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, one of the country's oldest and largest international aid groups, has suspended all its operations in Afghanistan following a decision by interim Taliban officials to halt Sweden's activities in the country.

"We are extremely saddened by the current situation and the effects our suspension will have on the millions of people who have benefitted from our services over the past four decades," the group said in a statement on Tuesday.

The suspension was in response to a decision from the Taliban, which called for the suspension of all "Sweden's activities" following a string of burning of copies of the Quran in Stockholm last summer, according to the group.

"Desecration of the Holy Koran (Quran) is an insult to all Muslims around the world who hold this sacred text dear to their hearts, and it constitutes a flagrant attack on the Islamic faith.

"We strongly condemn and distance ourselves from these acts," said the aid group.

It highlighted that it is an impartial group with no links to the Swedish government or any other government, saying “We receive funding from a broad range of donors."

The group expressed concerns about the future of nearly 7,000 Afghan employees across 16 provinces as many of them are the sole breadwinners of their families. “If they lose their jobs, thousands of families will suffer,” the aid group said.

The Swedish Committee for Afghanistan, established in 1980, has been working in the country for over 40 years, providing aid to vulnerable segments of the population, including women, children, and the disabled.

Representatives of the group are seeking talks with interim Taliban authorities to find a solution and ensure that the needs of its target groups are met.

There was no immediate response from Afghan officials.