KABUL, Afghanistan — Public employees in Taliban-controlled institutions say they have not received their overdue salaries for nearly two months, compounding financial hardships amid economic uncertainty.
With the suspension of U.S. aid, Afghanistan’s currency has fluctuated sharply, with the exchange rate exceeding 80 Afghanis per U.S. dollar in recent days. Meanwhile, public employees are raising concerns over mounting economic pressure as wages remain unpaid.
Some employees told Amu TV that they were informed their salaries could be delayed for one to two months. However, nearly two months have already passed since their last paycheck.
“We have not received our salaries for two months. If another 10 days pass, it will be almost two months,” one public employee said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “Unfortunately, financial policies have changed, and we are left waiting without payment.”
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid recently claimed in a post on X that all public employees would be paid during the Solar month of Dalwa (January 20–February 20).
“The salaries of all 1,040,000 Emirate employees will be paid this month,” Mujahid said. “No one should be concerned. The national budget is based on domestic revenues and does not depend on foreign aid.”
However, economic analysts warn that unemployment remains critically high, and the suspension of U.S. aid could further worsen Afghanistan’s economic outlook.
“The demand for financial assistance is rising, and if aid remains suspended, humanitarian organizations may be forced to scale back or shut down operations,” said Shakir Yaqubi, an economic analyst.
The U.S. State Department recently announced that life-saving humanitarian aid would be exempt from President Donald J. Trump’s order to suspend foreign assistance. However, it remains unclear whether this exemption includes aid for Afghanistan.
“The government cannot afford to remain passive in this crisis,” said Sayed Masood, another economic analyst. “There are steps that can be taken to prevent further deterioration.”
The uncertainty surrounding U.S. aid has fueled volatility in Afghanistan’s currency market, with the value of the Afghani fluctuating significantly over the past week. The U.S. dollar briefly surpassed 80 Afghanis, before the Taliban announced an official exchange rate of 74 Afghanis per dollar on Thursday, Jan. 30.
