The statement said that the academic degrees will be distributed on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

A third employee, however, noted that their salary had been paid in full, though it was delayed by over two.

The move follows an earlier directive by Taliban leader to reduce the size of the country’s civil service and security.

Since taking power in August 2021, Taliban have not published a national budget, leaving the public in the dark about.

The move sidelines the Ministry of Finance and centralizes decision-making in Hibatullah's stronghold in Kandahar.

The arrests took place in the village of Tankhoy, located in the Darah district of Panjshir.