RASC News Agency: Residents and civil activists in western Afghanistan report that the revenues collected by the Taliban from both governmental and non-governmental institutions are being used to purchase properties in Pakistan.
Local sources in Herat Province indicate that Taliban officials in Herat and other western provinces of Afghanistan are using the collected tax revenues extracted from the pockets of the poor for superficial projects in the city, while significant amounts are funneled into buying luxurious homes and estates in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Ghaffar Rajabi, a civil activist in western Afghanistan, told RASC News Agency on Tuesday, May 28th, that most Taliban officials are using Afghanistani tax revenues to purchase homes and properties in Pakistan, which are subsequently enjoyed by the group’s leaders and commanders there. He added that many Taliban members hold dual citizenship with Pakistan and Afghanistan, with a greater allegiance to Pakistan.
Rajabi further noted that it is evident that 90% of the Afghanistani Taliban have a Pakistani mindset and cultural and ethnic ties to Pakistan. He asserted that if the self-proclaimed Taliban government in Afghanistan ever collapses, it will become apparent that the members of this group will flee to Pakistan immediately.
Meanwhile, Qasim, a resident of Badghis Province, informed RASC News Agency that the Taliban are extremely oppressive in collecting taxes from local merchants but have so far failed to provide any meaningful services to the people. He pointed out that despite the collection of taxes and the influx of foreign aid under various guises to the Taliban, Afghanistan has not seen significant progress.
Recently, the Taliban in Guzara District of Herat Province reported collecting 44 million Kabuli rupees in taxes. Given that Guzara District alone paid 44 million Afghanistani rupees in taxes, the total tax revenue from Afghanistan’s 371 districts would be substantial, raising questions about where this money is being spent.
To date, the Taliban have not provided any accountability to the Afghanistani people regarding the revenues collected from taxes and national resources.
