The Taliban public health minister, Noor Jalal Jalali, made no mention of recent corruption allegations or reported arrests within his ministry in his first public remarks since the issue surfaced, focusing instead on oversight of aid organizations and public health priorities.
Speaking at a meeting in Kabul on Sunday, April 19, Jalali said institutions whose activities do not align with their contracts should have their licenses revoked and face “serious action.” He did not identify any specific organizations or provide details.
“You must review the documents, contracts and agreements of every implementing organization and monitor them properly,” Jalali said. “If their activities are not in Afghanistan’s interest or waste resources, their operations should be stopped.”
His remarks follow reports by Amu TV that alleged widespread financial misconduct within the Ministry of Public Health, involving individuals described as close to Jalali, including some of his relatives. The report also cited detentions carried out by Taliban intelligence.
Jalali did not address those allegations or the reported arrests in his speech, nor did he comment on recent changes within the ministry. Amu reported that some officials previously accused of corruption had been reassigned to new positions.
In his remarks, Jalali emphasized the need to intensify efforts to combat polio, noting that the disease has been eradicated in most parts of the world but persists in Afghanistan and a small number of neighboring countries.
“Polio has been eliminated globally, but it still exists in our country and in the region,” he said. “We must increase our efforts to prevent it.”
The Ministry of Public Health has previously acknowledged, in general terms, that some employees could face legal action for administrative violations, without addressing specific cases.
Taliban have not publicly responded in detail to the allegations of corruption within the ministry.
