In a surprise announcement, Afghan Taliban on Tuesday said it will protect key infrastructure projects in the war-torn nation including the $10 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
The Taliban, which is blamed for targeting aid workers and damaging millions of dollars worth infrastructure in the country, in a statement pledged to protect Afghan government’s major projects such as highways, railways and others. “The Islamic Emirate not only backs all national projects which are in the interest of the people and result in the development and prosperity of the nation but are also committed to safeguarding them,” the group said.
“The Islamic Emirate directs all its mujahideen to help in the security of all national projects that are in the higher interest of Islam and the country,” the statement said. The statement promises to protect TAPI gas pipeline project and a multi-billion dollar copper mine known.