KABUL — After nearly three months of delays, Taliban have paid only one month’s salary to public servants, three employees from different institutions confirmed to Amu.
The employees voiced frustration, saying that continued delays in salary payments have placed them under serious economic strain.
The Taliban’s spokesperson had previously stated that all government salaries would be paid starting February 10, but contrary to that promise, only one month’s salary has been disbursed so far.
“We have only received one month’s salary, but payments for December and January remain outstanding,” one government employee told Amu, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Taliban have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the cause of the delay.
Economic analysts say the Taliban’s salary payment issues are compounded by inconsistent data on government employees.
“It seems Afghanistan still lacks a national and reliable statistical authority. The figures released are not based on reality,” said Sayed Masood, an economic expert.
“The payment of government salaries is facing prolonged delays, sometimes up to two or three months,” added Ahmad Siyar Quraishi, another economist.
The reduction of U.S. aid, fluctuations in the Afghani’s value against the dollar, and delays in salary payments have heightened concerns among Afghan households, already struggling with a harsh winter and economic hardships.
The Taliban maintain that the country’s economy is stable, but many Afghans say they are facing severe financial difficulties with no clear resolution in sight.
