RASC News Agency: Reports from Herat province in western Afghanistan suggest that employees of the Taliban’s electricity administration in this region have adopted a differential approach towards certain customers regarding electricity bill distribution. Reliable sources in Herat province, speaking to a reporter from RASC news agency on Saturday, January 27th, noted that employees of the Taliban’s electricity administration in this province exhibit a distinct demeanor when it comes to distributing electricity bills, often extending extensive cooperation to individuals closely affiliated with the Taliban group.
The source further elaborates that during the previous administration, electricity bills were distributed over several months, but presently, this process has significantly slowed down, with only select individuals who have connections and cooperation with the Taliban group being engaged in this task. Furthermore, the source reveals that all lists of electricity bills and other household records are meticulously maintained by the employees of Herat province’s electricity administration, who discern which individuals are Pashto speakers and have affiliations with the Taliban group, thus necessitating a comprehensive approach in their duties.
According to the source, a Herat province resident, who submitted his electricity bill payment two days past the due date to the Taliban’s electricity administration, was subjected to severe mistreatment and detained by Taliban members for several hours, eventually being released with a cautionary warning. Moreover, the source contends that the Taliban’s regime exhibits fascist tendencies rather than adhering to Islamic principles, often exploiting Islamic rhetoric to manipulate its members. Hence, other sources affirm that fluency in Pashto is crucial for the Taliban, enabling swift completion of administrative tasks within a day for those proficient in the language. The source also asserts that the discriminatory treatment towards non-Pashtuns is not confined to the Taliban’s electricity administration but is pervasive across all departments under Taliban governance.
In a bid to retain Pashtun residents and prevent a decline in Pashto-speaking populace, the Taliban members have adopted a preferential approach towards them, leading to an exodus of non-Pashtuns from Afghanistan, resulting in their diminishing presence in society. Meanwhile, a resident of Herat province recounted an encounter with a RASC reporter, detailing an unsettling experience at the Taliban’s electricity administration, where delayed payment of electricity bills led to intimidating encounters.
Additionally, Mohammad Akbari, a civil activist in western Afghanistan, underscored the complexity of the current situation in the country, citing prevalent ethnic tensions and fascist tendencies. However, the Taliban authorities have declared their rule inclusive, asserting the absence of ethnic discrimination in Afghanistan, and emphasizing that residents across provinces are experiencing complete peace under their governance.
