At the start of the Afghan year 1404, the Taliban have quietly initiated a sweeping reduction of government positions across civilian and military institutions without an official announcement. Investigations by Tarz Press reveal that more than 300,000 posts nationwide are slated for elimination in the near future.
Interviews conducted by Tarz Press with 23 former government employees over the past ten days indicate that these cuts stem from a severe budget shortfall and the cessation of international aid. Those interviewed confirmed the loss of their positions and expressed deep concern about their job prospects and livelihoods. They warn that this move not only jeopardizes the structural stability of government institutions but also places the economic security of thousands of Afghan families at risk.
Field investigations by Tarz Press show that the scale of reductions varies across institutions, with some departments facing cuts of up to 20 percent and others between 13 and 15 percent. The decision affects both civilian and military personnel, though credible sources indicate that the majority of those impacted are former government employees—key targets for removal from the Taliban’s administrative framework.
Sources told Tarz Press that the Ministry of Finance has instructed government offices to withhold salaries for the Afghan months of Hut 1403 (February-March 2025) and Hamal 1404 (March-April 2025) until a new organizational structure and final list of eliminated posts are established. This comes as the 1404 budget remains unapproved, with the review of administrative structures still ongoing.
Interviewees expressed alarm to Tarz Press, describing the cuts as potentially catastrophic. Former civilian employees who had continued working under Taliban rule noted that removing breadwinners from government roles—without alternative job opportunities—could plunge Afghanistan into a widespread social crisis.
The Taliban have yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
