Taliban have cut monthly subsistence allowances for staff at their military universities, including the National Defense University, from 4,000 to 2,000 Afghanis — roughly $58 to $29 — according to two independent sources familiar with the matter.
The reduction is part of a broader effort by the Taliban to scale back military expenditures amid mounting fiscal strain. In addition to cutting allowances, university employees have been instructed to find accommodations outside campus facilities, as the Taliban administration will no longer cover housing or overnight expenses, sources said.
“The room and board stipends have been eliminated entirely,” one source said, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons.
Base salaries have also been affected. According to the same sources, some staff have seen their monthly pay reduced by between 1,000 and 1,500 Afghanis ($15 to $22).
The measures follow a directive issued by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada earlier this year, calling for a 20 percent reduction in staffing across government agencies and military institutions. A source in Kandahar previously told Amu that the order was prompted by budget shortfalls and broader economic challenges.
In line with the directive, reassignments have taken place within lower administrative ranks. Professional employees in grades four and five have reportedly been demoted to service-level positions, including custodial roles.
Taliban have not publicly commented on the cuts to salaries or allowances for military university personnel.
