Congressman Tim Burchett has urged President-elect Donald Trump to halt financial aid to Afghanistan.

Burchett said in a letter that the US government should not fund its enemies abroad.

“I want to express my serious concern about sending foreign aid to the Taliban (Islamic Emirate) and my willingness to work with the Trump administration to prevent the transfer of US taxpayer dollars. The United States should not provide financial assistance to its enemies abroad,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Economy has expressed hope that international aid should not be stopped and that efforts are ongoing to strengthen Afghanistan’s infrastructure and move the country towards self-sufficiency.

Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said: “We hope that international aid to the people of Afghanistan will not be halted. However, at the same time, our focus is on national capacities. We want to strengthen Afghanistan’s infrastructure so that the country gradually moves towards self-sufficiency.”

Experts, however, do not view international aid as a fundamental solution for Afghanistan’s economy but stated that given the country’s humanitarian and economic situation, the continuation of such aid remains essential.

Abdul Zuhoor Madaber, an economic expert, said: “Humanitarian aid is not a fundamental solution to the country’s economy, but given the economic crisis we are facing, it can be impactful.”

The US has provided over $2 billion in aid-to-aid organizations in Afghanistan over the past three years.

The US State Department has stated that this aid is solely for relief and charitable programs, intended to support ordinary Afghan people struggling with poverty, hunger, and food shortages.