Some residents of Kabul expressed frustration and concern over what they say is a significant increase in municipal service fees imposed by the Taliban-run Kabul municipality.
Many residents say that the rising costs are becoming unmanageable amid severe economic hardship.
According to local accounts, the monthly fee for garbage collection has risen to 400 afghanis ($6), with an additional annual charge of 2,000 afghanis ($30) for other municipal services.
In the past, residents say, the monthly garbage collection fee was 100 afghanis ($1.5), and the annual municipal service fee was capped at 1,500 afghanis ($22).
A Kabul resident told Amu that these costs have added strain to already struggling households. “People can’t afford these fees,” he said, noting the economic strain on families across the city.
One resident, who asked to be identified only as Setara, described her family’s financial challenges.
Her husband is ill, and she is responsible for household expenses. Recently, Setareh said, the Taliban municipality locked her home over unpaid taxes. “They locked the door and warned of fines if I removed the seal,” she said. “My family can barely cover basic needs, let alone these high fees.”
Another Kabul resident, Homayoun Qasemi, echoed these concerns, noting that the Taliban’s fees are noticeably higher than in previous administrations. “The municipal service fees were once 100 afghanis for garbage collection,” he said. “Now, the Taliban government has increased that to 400 afghanis.”
The Taliban municipality’s spokesperson, Nematullah Barakzai, denied any increase in municipal service fees.
He maintained that the municipality continues to follow rates set in 2015, stating, “There has been no increase. The rates are the same as in previous years.”
According to the Taliban’s “Municipal Service Fee Regulation,” all residential properties in Kabul must pay 0.3 percent of the property’s total value for municipal services. This policy, established under a directive by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, is part of the administration’s efforts to standardize revenue collection for city services.
Despite official assurances, many Kabul residents are struggling with the financial burdens of these fees, underscoring the city’s ongoing economic hardships under Taliban rule. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have previously called on the Taliban to reconsider economic policies impacting basic services in Kabul and other provinces.
