Islamabad on Monday invited the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to the summit of the Organization of the Islamic Countries (OIC) in order to get the Taliban international recognition.

The OIC-led conference, scheduled to be held on December 19, will be the biggest international gathering on Afghanistan since the Taliban took over the country in mid-August on the heels of a U.S.-led foreign troop exit after 20 years.

According to the TOLO news, Waliullah Shaheen, head of the Center for Strategic Studies at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Afghan economy, banking system and the normalization of Afghanistan's relations with the world are the main agenda items for the meeting

"The economy, banking system and normalization of Afghanistan's relations with the world are the agenda items of the meeting, and we, as the foreign ministry (of Afghanistan), will participate in this meeting," he said.

In addition to the members of the OIC, delegations from the US, Russia, Britain, the European Union, the World Bank and humanitarian organizations have also been invited to the conference.

"Many Islamic countries don't have good ties with Afghanistan. I hope these countries rebuild their relations and together make a decision on recognizing Afghanistan," said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan.

According to Associated Press, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said that the new rulers are seeking the world's “mercy and compassion” to help the millions of vulnerable Afghans in need.

Muttaqi also said, “Sanctions against Afghanistan would ... not have any benefit.”

Muttaqi said, 'We have made progress in administration and politics ... in interaction with the nation and the world. With each passing day, we will gain more experience and make more progress.'

It has been more than 100 days since the Taliban takeover but has not been recognized by any nation of the world yet because of human rights and terrorism concerns.

Respect for women and human rights, establishing inclusive government, not allowing Afghanistan to become safe haven of terrorism are the preconditions for the recognition set by the international community. But the Taliban has so far implemented none of these but has been promising to do so.

Washington and European countries have imposed stringent economic sanctions on the Taliban and blocked the Islamist group’s access to billions of dollars in Afghan foreign assets as well as development assistance. The sanctions raised prospects of an economic collapse and worsened the humanitarian emergency.

Image credit: VOA