To the Esteemed Officials of the Intelligence Directorate, Balkh Province

Reference No.: 22
Date: 1443/3/11
Subject: Arrest and Punishment of Individuals Acting Against the Laws of the Islamic Emirate

In accordance with the directive issued by the Islamic Emirate of Balkh, it has been decided that a number of individuals—whose names have previously been disclosed—must be apprehended and brought to justice for their actions and continued activities in violation of the laws of the Islamic Emirate.

It has come to attention that some of these individuals have fled the country, while others remain within the country. The intelligence authorities are hereby instructed to take all necessary and serious measures to identify, locate, and detain these individuals.

Additionally, officials responsible for city patrols and security at the entry and exit points of Mazar-e-Sharif are directed to exercise heightened vigilance and cooperate fully in the identification and capture of the aforementioned individuals.

This directive illustrates the Taliban’s continued use of intelligence and security forces to monitor, target, and suppress individuals perceived as opposing its rule or deviating from its interpretation of Islamic law. The vague reference to individuals “acting against the laws of the Islamic Emirate” enables sweeping and arbitrary enforcement, with likely targets including civil society activists, political dissenters, journalists, former officials, and human rights defenders. By tasking both intelligence agents and city patrols with locating and arresting these individuals—and extending surveillance to transportation checkpoints—the Taliban is not only tightening control over civic space but also restricting freedom of movement.