Approximately three years have passed since the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan. Many residents of the country have stated during this time that corruption has unprecedentedly increased in the subordinate offices of this group, prompting Taliban officials to also acknowledge corruption within their government.
Taliban officials, who served in the first regime and still hold positions, privately acknowledge that corruption in the current Taliban emirate has surged by 80 to 90 percent compared to their initial rule.
A source informed the Hasht-e Subh Daily that Taliban officials acknowledge the unprecedented extent of corruption within their government, with “the narrative of thieves” now prevalent in their regime. This Taliban insider stated, “We witnessed lawlessness in the first emirate, but not corruption. If there was any corruption, it was minimal, around 10 percent, but it never reached this scale.”
The source adds, “The increase in corruption among the officials of the [Taliban] emirate has become a tradition, and every individual, even if they hold a minimal position or authority, has enriched themselves through their means. From ministers to local officials at the provincial and district levels, where in my view corruption is more prevalent and increasing. When we saw the first emirate and now see the current one, corruption has increased by 80 to 90 percent.”
The source emphasizes, “We all recognize the rampant lawlessness. Each appointee brings their people, with no oversight on administrative actions. In a brief period, they amass multiple properties.” Referring to a Taliban official, the source states, “Taliban officials are involved in commercial ventures, purchasing land and homes, constructing oil tanks, and conducting trade. Additionally, we observe instances of drug trafficking and polygamy, even among government officials. However, corruption has peaked in the current regime, posing a threat to its foundation.”
This source reports from Taliban gatherings: “Officials of the Taliban emirate are vying to amass wealth and participate in trade. Just a year ago, we witnessed an ordinary Taliban member whose sole asset was a motorcycle, but now he possesses the finest residence, rides the top vehicle, and lives a lavish lifestyle funded by the people’s money.”
However, Taliban officials also admit that the ongoing corruption is uncontrollable and has become a norm within the subordinate offices of this group and among their local commanders. This source explains, “No one can challenge anyone, and corruption has become ingrained. Every commander or ordinary member has some form of association and is beyond control.”
Meanwhile, sources from Herat confirm to the Hasht-e Subh Daily that corruption cases from the Herat customs, despite being sent to Kabul several times by the Directorate of Intelligence of this group, have received no response from the central authorities of the Taliban and have been swept under the rug.
Sources add: “Corruption is practically rampant at the customs. The Directorate of Intelligence in Herat has twice formed cases and sent them to Kabul, but due to the customs officials being from outside Herat and their extensive connections within the Taliban regime, no action was taken.” Sources further state: “After no action was taken on the two cases’ findings regarding corruption at the Herat customs, intelligence realized that the customs are both uncontrollable and not responsive to the glaring corruption, so they swept the issue under the rug and did not pursue it further.”
Taliban officials acknowledge the unprecedented increase in corruption in the subordinate offices of this group, with the majority of local commanders, after seizing control, taking second, third, and fourth wives. In the latest case, the release of images of a convoy of expensive cars at the wedding ceremony of Abdul Hamid Khorasani, a Taliban supporter commander, has sparked outrage on social media.
You can read the Persian version of the report here:
اعتراف طالبان: «فساد ۸۰ تا ۹۰ درصد در امارت دوم» بیشتر شده است
