Greed Over Governance: Inside The Taliban’s Corruption – OpEd
In the chaotic and complex landscape of Afghanistan, the Taliban’s rise to power was partly built on the backs of fighters—Mujahideen—who believed in the cause of an Islamic government. They were promised not only ideological victories but tangible rewards: fair wages, provisions for their families, and the honor of serving their country. Yet, a troubling new revelation suggests that the very commanders who led these fighters are exploiting them for personal gain, revealing the deep-rooted corruption that undermines the Taliban’s ability to govern.
A damning document from the Chairman of the Ulema Shura Council of Kandahar, Molvi Malook Shah Siddeqi, exposes a grim picture of mismanagement within the Taliban’s ranks. According to the report, Taliban commanders have been redirecting funds intended for Mujahideen salaries and meals to line their own pockets, all while the promised provisions remain woefully substandard or entirely misused. These allegations are not isolated; even the Kandahar Ulema Shura and Police Chief Molvi Hizbullah have corroborated the issue.
The scope of the mismanagement is staggering. Commanders are reportedly taking full meal allowances for their fighters, only to provide inadequate or subpar food. Some Mujahideen, despite being absent from the frontlines, continue to receive salaries, with the funds funneled back to the commanders as allowances. Worse still, commanders have been accused of withholding wages, using threats of retaliation to suppress complaints. To make matters worse, funds earmarked for infrastructure development have been diverted, with Mujahideen being exploited as cheap labor, further exacerbating the conditions under which they serve.
This exploitation of the very fighters who helped the Taliban seize power paints a grim picture of a regime that is rife with corruption. What was once a group that pledged to uphold the dignity and welfare of Afghanistan’s people now stands accused of betraying the very individuals who fought for its control. These fighters were promised a better Afghanistan—one that respects Islamic principles, offers economic stability, and provides for their families. Instead, they are met with exploitation, unpaid labor, and meager rations, all while their commanders enrich themselves.
The Taliban’s failure to properly allocate resources and manage finances highlights a troubling pattern of mismanagement. By diverting funds meant for Mujahideen wages and meals, they are not just depriving their fighters—they are perpetuating a cycle of poverty and hardship that further destabilizes Afghanistan. This corruption, at its core, underscores the Taliban’s failure to fulfill even the most basic of promises: providing for their people. The lack of adequate infrastructure, poor wages, and lack of provisions for families all contribute to the larger societal instability that continues to plague the country.
Moreover, the abuse of power by these commanders is having a profound effect on the morale of the Mujahideen and the stability of the Taliban’s internal structure. These fighters, once loyal to the Taliban’s cause, are now facing growing resentment and frustration. The rifts between the commanders and the forces they are supposed to lead threaten to undermine the cohesion of the Taliban, further eroding the regime’s control over the country.
At its core, the Taliban’s mismanagement and corruption reveal a glaring hypocrisy. While the group has long presented itself as a moral alternative to the corrupt governments it overthrew, its internal dysfunction exposes its own deep moral failings. Promises of justice, stability, and prosperity have been replaced with exploitation, injustice, and greed. The Taliban’s actions speak volumes about its lack of integrity and true leadership.
What’s perhaps most troubling is the stark gap between the Taliban’s public rhetoric and its actions. For a group that has prided itself on presenting it as a righteous alternative to the corruption of previous Afghan governments, its internal dysfunction and exploitation of the very fighters who helped it seize power speak to a deep-seated betrayal. The exploitation of Mujahideen not only undermines the morale of its forces but also sets a devastating precedent for the future of Afghanistan.
If the Taliban truly hopes to earn the respect and trust of the Afghan people and the international community, it must first demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance. It must address corruption within its ranks, ensure the fair distribution of resources, and fulfill the promises it made to those who fought for its cause. Until then, the Taliban’s leadership will remain defined not by its ideology, but by its greed, its betrayal of its fighters, and its inability to manage the very resources it controls.
The path forward for Afghanistan is fraught with challenges, and the Taliban’s internal corruption may prove to be one of the most significant obstacles to the country’s stability and recovery. Until the regime holds itself accountable, there is little hope for meaningful progress or lasting peace.
