Name: Fawad
Region: Takhar
My name is Fawad from Takhar province. I graduated from Takhar University. From 2020 until the fall of Afghanistan, I worked as an advisor in a government ministry. After the Taliban takeover, fear and uncertainty prevented us from returning to work, despite repeated calls from the office. Many of my colleagues left the country, and those of us who remained held internal meetings, agreeing not to go to the office alone. In the early days of the Taliban’s return, there was no accountability—they treated people however they pleased. At checkpoints set up across the city, they fired at civilians, and some were killed by Taliban fighters.
Even if we wanted to return to work, our families wouldn’t allow it due to safety concerns. Before the Taliban’s arrival, we had five months of unpaid salaries from the previous government, but no one dared to go to the office. Eventually, after persistent contact from the office, we all returned one day. We were told to continue working as before, since the Taliban lacked administrative experience and needed the expertise of former staff. We took advantage of the opportunity and resumed our duties.
Over time, the Taliban began to learn the basics of administration and gradually replaced some staff with their own members. They also began committing widespread corruption within ministries. They refused to grant operational licenses to local organizations led by women. For example, anyone seeking a license from the Ministry of Economy must have a male director—women are not permitted to lead NGOs.
Recently, the Taliban revoked the license of Intersas, a charitable organization that was part of the Ministry’s project portfolio. The Taliban view international NGOs as foreign spies and are therefore unwilling to allow humanitarian or charitable organizations to operate. Intersas is not the first organization they’ve shut down, and it certainly won’t be the last. They have already deactivated dozens of local organizations led by women, and due to security concerns, no one can take action.
Intersas was a humanitarian organization providing vital services, but the Taliban terminated its operations. If the public remains silent, a day will come when the Taliban will lock the doors of every international organization in Afghanistan, leaving our people powerless.
