Taliban are seeking ties with the United States and other former adversaries.

In a rare interview, a top Taliban leader said that the new Taliban rulers in Afghanistan are committed in principle to education and jobs for girls and women, a significant departure from their previous rule, and that they seek the world’s “mercy and compassion” to help millions of Afghans in desperate need.

The Taliban regime, according to Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, desires good relations with all countries and has no issues with the United States.

He requested the United States and other countries to release upwards of $10 billion in funds that had been held since the Taliban seized power on Aug. 15, following a quick military march across Afghanistan and the abrupt, secret evacuation of US-backed President Ashraf Ghani.

“Sanctions on Afghanistan would… have no benefit,” Muttaqi said during an interview in his native Pashto at the enormous pale brick Foreign Ministry building in the heart of Kabul’s city.

“It is not in the interests of anyone to make Afghanistan insecure or to have a weak Afghan government,” Muttaqi remarked, whose advisers include former government personnel as well as Taliban recruits.

Muttaqi acknowledged the international concern at the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment. Since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan, female students in grades 7 through 12 have been forbidden from attending school, and many female civil officials have been instructed to stay at home.

Taliban officials have stated that they require more time to establish gender-segregated arrangements in schools and the workplace in order to comply with their strict interpretation of Islam.

The Taliban stunned the world when they first came to power in 1996-2001, banning girls and women from schools and jobs, prohibiting most forms of entertainment and sports, and occasionally carrying out executions in front of enormous crowds in sports stadiums.

Muttaqi, on the other hand, believes the Taliban have evolved since they last reigned.

“We’ve achieved progress in administration and politics, as well as in our interactions with the nation and the rest of the globe. We shall get more experience and grow with each passing day,” he stated.

According to Muttaqi, under the new Taliban government, girls are able to attend school until grade 12 in ten of the country’s 34 districts, private schools and colleges remain unaffected, and 100 percent of women who previously worked in the health sector have returned to work.

“This demonstrates our commitment to women’s involvement in principle,” he stated.

He said that the Taliban did not target their foes, instead announcing a wide amnesty and providing some security. He claims that former government leaders are safe in Kabul, despite the fact that the majority of them have fled.

Human Rights Watch published a study last month claiming that the Taliban killed or forcefully disappeared more than 100 former police and intelligence personnel in four regions. However, no large-scale retaliation has been reported.

Muttaqi claimed that the administration that came to power after the US-led coalition overthrew the Taliban leadership in 2001 carried out massive retaliation attacks against the Taliban. Hundreds went missing or were slain, he alleged, with thousands escaping to the mountains. The Taliban were deposed because they harbored al-Qaida and Osama bin Laden was responsible for the 9/11 terrorist strikes in the United States.

Thousands of Afghans rushed to Kabul’s airport in mid-August in the hopes of traveling to America, according to Muttaqi, driven by poverty and the dream of a better life, not fear. Images of individuals clinging to a departing American C-17 plane, while others dropped to the ground as the landing gear retracted, were captured in the crush of people.

He admitted that the Taliban made mistakes during their initial months in power, but promised that “we will fight for additional improvements that will benefit the nation.” He didn’t go into detail about the errors or potential reforms.

Muttaqi reacted angrily to comments made last week by US Marine Gen. Frank McKenzie, who told the Associated Press that al-Qaida has increased marginally in Afghanistan since US soldiers withdrew. McKenzie is the chief military commander in the Middle East for the United States.

The Taliban agreed to fight terrorism and deny terrorist groups a safe haven in a February 2020 accord that defined out the parameters of the US troop pullout.

According to Muttaqi, the Taliban maintained that vow, as well as a promise not to target US and NATO soldiers throughout the withdrawal’s final phase, which completed in late August.

“Unfortunately, charges against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are always made, but there is never any proof,” Muttaqi remarked. “McKenzie should offer proof if he has any.” I can confidently state that this is a baseless accusation.”

In the meantime, Islamic State terrorists have increased their attacks on Taliban patrols and religious minorities during the last four months. In Afghanistan, the IS affiliate has attacked Shiite mosques in the provincial capitals of Kunduz and Kandahar, as well as Taliban vehicles.

Muttaqi, on the other hand, claimed that the Taliban had gained the upper hand in recent weeks, claiming that no big attacks had occurred in the previous month. Since the US withdrawal, Washington’s capacity to track IS activity in Afghanistan has been hampered.

Muttaqi stated that he did not intend to cooperate with the United States in the fight against the Islamic State.

He did express hope, though, that “America will slowly, slowly rethink its stance toward Afghanistan” when it recognizes the benefits of a Taliban-ruled country standing on its own.

“My final statement is to America, to the American nation: You are a vast and large nation, and you must have enough patience and a big heart to dare to create policies on Afghanistan based on international laws and relegation, and to stop the divisions and shorten the distance between us,” he said.