Retirees Urge Taliban to Prioritize Pensions Over Funding Pakistani Madrasas

A large group of retired government employees protested outside the pension office in Kabul, demanding the Taliban pay their long-overdue pensions, Afghanistan International reported. One retiree criticized the Taliban’s financial priorities, urging them to stop funding religious seminaries in Pakistan and focus on domestic obligations. He lamented being shuffled between offices for four years with no results, despite a decree from Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada aimed at resolving the pension crisis.

Retirees highlighted their dire situation, stating that many are struggling to afford basic necessities amid rising living costs. They expressed frustration over high electricity prices while the Taliban reportedly allocates $9 million to Pakistani madrasas in the new fiscal year’s budget. This comes as the Taliban instructs ministries to cut staffing by 12% due to a budget shortfall, raising concerns about their financial management.

Since taking control of Kabul in August 2021, the Taliban have suspended pension payments to retired civil servants. Although Akhundzada issued a directive in December 2024 to create special courts for reviewing pension cases, progress has stalled, leaving many retirees in financial limbo.