KABUL — Taliban have begun collecting three-month advance payments from taxi and rickshaw drivers in cities across Afghanistan, sources said on Wednesday.
Drivers told Amu that they are normally required to pay a daily fee of 20 afghanis (about $0.25) to Taliban transport officials in order to operate in city limits. But in recent weeks, officials have begun demanding that drivers pay the equivalent of three months’ fees up front — totaling around 2,000 afghanis, or roughly $27.
The practice has already been implemented in several urban centers, sources said, and appears to be part of a broader effort to generate revenue amid shrinking public funds.
In some areas, drivers report being charged more than the standard daily rate, with little clarity on where the money is going or whether they are receiving receipts.
“The Taliban say we must pay in advance or stop working,” said one rickshaw driver in western Kabul, who requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. “Business is down, fuel is expensive, and now they’re squeezing us for more money.”
Many drivers say they are struggling to make ends meet in an economy battered by isolation, inflation, and declining aid. While the Taliban claim to be rebuilding Afghanistan’s administrative institutions, reports of arbitrary levies and informal taxation have become increasingly common since the group returned to power in 2021.
Economic experts warn that non-transparent revenue collection not only burdens low-income workers but also undermines any prospects for sustainable public finance.
Taliban have not responded to inquiries or issued any public guidance regarding the advance payment policy.
There are no data available on the number of taxis operating in Kabul. However, according to a report from 2010, there were approximately 40,000 registered taxis in the city.
