RASC News Agency: Retired civil servants in Afghanistan staged another protest on Saturday, April 5, in front of the Directorate of Pensions and Treasury in Kabul, condemning the Taliban’s continued neglect of their rights. Demonstrators urged the public to stand in solidarity as they demand the payment of long-overdue pensions a grievance that has evolved into a critical social issue after years of inaction. The pensioners denounced what they described as false promises by the Taliban, stating they have been left waiting for four years with no meaningful progress or payments.
Since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in August 2021, pension disbursements have been indefinitely suspended. The continued delay has compounded economic hardship for thousands of retired employees, many of whom represent some of the most vulnerable in Afghanistani society. The protesters called on the international community to exert pressure on the Taliban to fulfill its obligations. Though Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada ordered pension cases to be referred to special tribunals three months ago, retirees say the move has only deepened bureaucratic confusion and failed to produce results.
With poverty, unemployment, and inflation escalating across the country, the families of pensioners already in precarious financial conditions are now struggling to meet their most basic needs. Many have declared they can no longer afford essential items such as food, fuel, or medicine. The latest demonstrations underscore rising social unrest in Afghanistan, as pensioners demand accountability and insist the Taliban fulfill its commitments. The crisis poses a significant challenge to the Taliban administration, which faces mounting pressure to implement substantive reforms under both domestic and international scrutiny.
