Many citizens of the country complain about various methods of extortion, bribery, and blackmail by the Taliban. They say that the Taliban, by employing new methods of bribery and extortion, have not only challenged administrative and social security, but have also created the groundwork for a natural crisis in Kabul. Sources say that Taliban members, if cash payment or providing facilities is not possible, obtain signatures and documents from applicants by setting deadlines. These sources also add that the Taliban issue construction permits in residential area development projects in exchange for receiving bribes; an action that has led to increased substandard construction and population density in the capital, which experts consider a serious threat to citizens’ health and the environment.
Mehran Mohammadi (pseudonym), one of the residents of Kabul city, narrates his experience of bribery by the Taliban and says that this group, in areas where only four to five-story construction permits are allowed, after issuing permits, also add two additional floors and in return either demand the price of one apartment or become partners in the project. He adds, “In Karte-e Sae, in the M9 area, they issued an eleven-story construction permit. They took the complete payment for one floor, which amounted to several hundred thousand dollars.”
Gulabuddin (pseudonym), another resident of Kabul, says: “In the area of the eleventh district, there was a building whose construction began during the republic era and stopped after the fall of the republic. When they resumed their construction work, the district commander prevented it. The building owner wanted to pay 400 to 500 thousand dollars in bribes so that the district commander would not interfere, but he refused and said each house costs 50 to 100 thousand dollars, and you must pay at least 50 to 100 thousand dollars. When the building owner said he didn’t have this amount, the district commander replied that there’s no problem; I’ll give you a written agreement that you owe me this amount and must pay it by a specific date. The building owner was forced to pay him one month later when he sold his apartments.”
However, some environmental experts warn that the uncontrolled increase in construction in the capital has not only caused excessive population density but has also led to the destruction of vital underground resources.
Sayed Mohammad Sulaiman Khel, an environmental expert, expressing concern about this matter, says that Kabul, in its current conditions, is witnessing a remarkable increase in construction and high-rise buildings, simultaneously with the return of a significant number of migrants from neighboring countries. Sulaiman Khel adds that this trend has increased pressure on infrastructure, including roads, water supply systems, sewage, electricity, and waste management, and has faced the city administration with serious difficulties.
This environmental expert says: “The increase in construction and population density, alongside other problems, causes a reduction of green spaces, increased unemployment, intensification of traffic, and air and water pollution; because in winter, with increased consumption of fossil fuels, the level of pollution also rises remarkably.”
Previously, sources had also confirmed to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that by paying money, they had obtained permits to build several floors in one of Kabul’s districts. According to them, Taliban officials freely take bribes and, after receiving them, also provide security for construction workers so that other fighters of this group do not create disturbances.
Meanwhile, the Hasht-e Subh Daily’s findings show that the Taliban, by holding symbolic inaugurations for projects remaining from the previous government, are trying to pretend that the reconstruction process is proceeding well; while the 2025 budget documents and local source information indicate that a major portion of these projects have not only not begun, but have also faced ethnic discrimination and structural negligence in the planning process.
Based on these documents, in 2025, a total of 258 projects have been included in Kabul’s development plan, of which 146 projects have been allocated to road construction. However, so far, not even 10 percent of these projects have practically begun. This is while only a few months remain until the beginning of winter, and it is likely that these projects will once again be postponed to next year without implementation.
Transparency International announced in a report last year that Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, has been placed among the most corrupt countries in the world. According to this report, Afghanistan ranks 165th among 180 countries. The findings of this report show that the level of corruption in Afghanistan has increased compared to two years before.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
فساد سیستماتیک زیر سایه طالبان؛ از رشوه بهقرض تا فروش مجوز ساختوساز غیرمعیاری
