Taliban's big challenge: Tackling Afghanistan's failing economy, dealing with humanitarian crisis - in pics

Two weeks since the Taliban's sweep into the capital Kabul brought a chaotic end to 20 years of warfare, the Islamist militants have yet to name a new government or reveal how they intend to rule. In an administrative vacuum, prices have soared and crowds have gathered at banks to withdraw cash.

Heavily-armed fighters have imposed control on Kabul, but Taliban officials were grappling with keeping hospitals and government machinery running following the end of a huge airlift of foreigners and Afghans who had helped Western forces.

(Pic: IANS)

The new, Taliban-appointed central bank head has sought to reassure banks the group wants a fully-functioning financial system, but has so far given little detail on how it will supply funds for it, bankers familiar with the matter said.

(Pic: Reuters)

The immediate concern for them now is staving off economic collapse. Afghanistan desperately needs money, and the Taliban are unlikely to get swift access to the roughly $10 billion in assets mostly held abroad by the Afghan central bank. The Taliban have ordered banks to re-open but strict weekly limits on withdrawals have been imposed.

The foreign minister of neighbouring Pakistan, which has close ties to the Taliban, said he expected Afghanistan to have a new "consensus government" within days. Meanwhile, people fearful of life under Taliban rule rushed to the borders.

(Pic: PTI)