The Taliban-run Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has confirmed it has begun closing private orphanages, saying the move is aimed at improving oversight and care for children without guardians.
Samiullah Ebrahimi, Taliban spokesman for the ministry, said the authorities were seeking to transfer children from privately run centres into state-run orphanages under the ministry’s supervision.
“In recent months, the ministry has been working to ensure the proper upbringing of these children,” Ebrahimi said. “Private centres that run classes or facilities for children without guardians are being merged into orphanages managed by the ministry so their needs can be addressed in a standardised way.”
He said around 60 orphanages are currently operating across the country, housing about 10,000 children.
This follows remarks by Shafiq Murid, a singer and founder of the private “Rayan Children” orphanage, who said his center was shut down on the direct order of the Taliban’s leader and that its assets were seized.
The closures have raised concern among activists and observers, who warn that state-run orphanages lack sufficient services and resources, and that the move could expose children to ideological influence.
“The Taliban do not tolerate institutions that differ from their worldview,” said Najibullah Paikan, a journalist. “They seek to control education and upbringing, especially of children and young people.”
Private orphanages have long played a significant role in caring for children left without guardians after decades of conflict. Aid groups estimate that years of war have left tens of thousands of children without parental care, with privately funded centres often filling gaps left by the state.
Taliban have not said how many private orphanages will be closed or when the process will be completed.
