Taliban's 20 Percent Cut In Security Forces Targets ‘Undesirable’ Personnel First

On Monday, the Taliban Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, met with Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, on Monday to discuss expanding bilateral economic ties.

During the meeting, Mullah Baradar revealed that the two sides had signed a draft roadmap aimed at increasing trade between Kabul and Astana to as much as $3 billion. He claimed that trade relations between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have continued to grow since the Taliban’s return to power and reiterated the group’s interest in deepening economic and trade relations with Kazakhstan and other regional countries.

The Taliban also stated that it has shared a draft agreement with the Kazakh delegation aimed at establishing a joint coordination centre among four countries—Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, and Turkmenistan.

Baradar called for the launch of direct flights between Kabul and Astana, streamlined visa issuance for Afghan traders, and Afghanistan's active participation in regional economic forums.

Quoting Serik Zhumangarin, the Taliban said that Kazakhstan would create a logistics and transport company in Herat to facilitate the implementation of the Turghundi–Herat–Spin Boldak railway project.

The Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister also expressed his country’s readiness to support the extension of internet infrastructure to Afghanistan, which could result in more affordable internet access for the country.

Zhumangarin further stated that Kazakh investors are prepared to invest in Afghanistan’s mining, oil, and gas sectors, with technical teams already dispatched to Kabul.

The Kazakh delegation also expressed willingness to issue visas to Afghan traders, launch direct flights between the two countries, enhance banking cooperation, and collaborate on health, education, transit, and bilateral trade initiatives.

Jalal Qadir stated that his last contact with his uncle was on 15 April, during a phone call from Dubai Airport. Since then, there has been no further communication, and all of Abdul Zahir Qadir’s phone numbers have been unreachable. The circumstances surrounding his arrest remain unclear.

“A few days ago, Abdul Zahir Qadir left for a foreign trip. Unfortunately, during our last call, he told us he had been detained by US intelligence officials at Dubai Airport,” said Jalal Qadir. “He has not contacted us since and is now effectively missing.”

The government of the United Arab Emirates has not yet issued any official statement or comment regarding the alleged arrest.

He stated that Mujahid, like other detainees, is permitted to meet with his family.

In a televised interview, Badr explained: “The case of Allah Gul is a personal matter related to murder; his accusers have referred the case to the court, and the court may issue a sentence of imprisonment or execution. He is currently in prison with us.”

Badr did not disclose when Mujahid was detained by the Taliban. However, documents obtained last month by Afghanistan International revealed that a primary court in Kabul had sentenced Mujahid to 17 years in prison for the premeditated murder of Qari Saeedullah, a Taliban intelligence officer. Mujahid’s son was also sentenced to one year in prison in connection with the case.

He also revealed that between 100 and 130 foreign nationals are currently held in Taliban prisons for various offences, most of whom are citizens of neighbouring countries. He did not specify which nations were involved.

According to Badr, around 12000 individuals are currently incarcerated in Taliban-run prisons, including approximately 1400 women and 300 Taliban members. He denied reports of torture or mistreatment in these facilities, despite ongoing allegations from international organisations regarding human rights abuses and the treatment of prisoners under Taliban rule.

The directive prioritises the dismissal of guards and mercenary fighters, placing them at the top of the list for cuts.

Under the plan, 20 percent of staff in Taliban security institutions are to be placed in a state of "active reserve," effectively removing them from duty while maintaining nominal affiliation with the institutions.

In an introduction to the downsizing plan, Akhundzada explained that the decision followed extensive internal consultations and was made in light of “certain important interests.” The directive outlines a tiered system for reductions, with non-professional personnel placed in the third tier, units in stable or threat-free areas in the fourth, and advisors, deputies, and technical experts in the fifth.

The plan also targets individuals recruited after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, including family members of fallen fighters, households with multiple siblings in service, elderly or disabled individuals, those without clearly defined roles, and absentee personnel.

Additionally, the plan mandates the consolidation of departments with overlapping responsibilities and the elimination of excess staff. It proposes reducing the number of deputies within each office, assigning department heads to take on dual roles to streamline operations.

If these measures fall short of achieving the 20 percent reduction target, further cuts will be made in regions deemed secure and less dependent on active security presence.

Those dismissed as part of the restructuring—whether Taliban fighters, collaborators, family members of deceased members, or recent recruits—will receive a monthly compensation of 5,000 Afghanis. The plan also includes a provision granting reemployment priority to those laid off, should future organisational expansion occur.

In recent days, audio recordings of Taliban fighters have circulated on social media, revealing grievances over the dismissals. Many claimed that frontline guards, who played a critical role in establishing and maintaining the regime’s control, were disproportionately affected by the cuts.

Akhundzada's decision comes amid a continued suspension of international aid, particularly from the United States, and ongoing complaints from government employees regarding unpaid salaries.

Speaking to reporters upon his arrival, Zhumangarin announced that an economic agreement between Kazakhstan and the Taliban administration would be signed during the visit.

The agreement is expected to be formalised between Zhumangarin and Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.

Among the key issues on the agenda is the proposed Afghan-Trans railway, a project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and trade.

Zhumangarin described his visit as “special” and highlighted the frequency of bilateral engagements, noting that he meets with Taliban officials at least twice a year.

He also stated that both Kazakh and Taliban delegations have conducted multiple reciprocal visits to Kabul and Astana in recent years.