Taliban dismisses 300 employees from state broadcaster amid austerity drive

The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have dismissed at least 300 employees from the state-run Radio and Television channel as part of a broader government austerity campaign, according to Afghanistan International News.

The layoffs included journalists, editors, and technicians, many of whom had decades of experience, with some having worked for 20 to 40 years. Among those dismissed were 91 women. Several former employees reported not receiving their salaries for the past two months.

The move follows a directive from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada to reduce staffing across all government institutions by 20%, amid a worsening financial crisis driven by a continued decline in international aid—once a key source of public funding.

According to the platform, government documents reveal wider restructuring plans, including the Ministry of Education’s intent to cut at least 90,000 positions, mostly teachers, along with upcoming reductions in security forces and other government bodies. These developments reflect the deep economic challenges Afghanistan faces since the Taliban’s return to power in mid-2021.