The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan says the country continues to face restrictions on its participation in international affairs despite efforts to build friendly relations with other countries and re-establish its place in the international community.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, told TOLOnews that Afghanistan had yet to achieve the international standing it sought, leaving it excluded from or restricted in participating in certain international meetings.

“Afghanistan has always sought to integrate into the international community, but we have not achieved what we really want to. It is because there still exist some restrictions,” Mujahid said, adding that Kabul had established friendly relations with several countries.

He also said Afghans had been denied their rights in a number of cases, despite the Islamic Emirate’s efforts to secure them.

Mujahid’s remarks highlight Kabul’s continued calls for greater international engagement and an end to restrictions that have limited Afghanistan’s participation in diplomatic forums since the Islamic Emirate returned to power in August 2021.

More than five years into its administration, the Islamic Emirate has established diplomatic and economic ties with a number of countries, but formal recognition remains limited. Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Islamic Emirate government in July 2025.

The lack of broader recognition continues to complicate Afghanistan’s participation in international institutions and high-level diplomatic engagements, while restrictions and disagreements over governance and human rights remain major obstacles to normalising relations with Western governments.

The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly called for engagement based on mutual respect, arguing that isolating Afghanistan harms its people and undermines opportunities for regional cooperation, economic development and stability.

Kabul maintains that the country should be allowed to participate in international affairs and pursue diplomatic relations without its population bearing the consequences of political disputes.

The question of Afghanistan’s international status remains a major challenge for the Islamic Emirate as it seeks to expand diplomatic relations, attract investment and improve economic conditions in a country facing significant humanitarian and development needs. (ILKHA)