Taliban Government Resumes Pension Payments for Afghan Retirees
After a four-year suspension, the Taliban government has announced the resumption of pension payments for Afghanistan's nearly 150,000 retired military and civil servants.
KABUL: The Taliban government in Afghanistan has made an announcement that it will resume pension payments for the country's approximately 150,000 retired military and civil service personnel.
This decision marks the end of a four-year pause on such benefits, following the suspension of the public pension scheme by the cash-strapped authorities last year.The resumption of these payments comes as a relief to many retirees, including 71-year-old Abdul Sabir, who expressed his concerns about the financial difficulties faced by those awaiting their pensions.
Demonstrations by retired public sector employees have become increasingly common in recent years, demanding payment from the government since the Taliban took control in 2021.According to pension fund director Mohammad Rahmani, all pending amounts will be distributed to the retirees as part of this resumption plan.
Government officials have also reassured local media that unpaid pensions over the past few years will be disbursed eventually.However, under the Taliban's rule, salaries within the public sector have been significantly reduced and are paid irregularly, with many positions being filled by loyalists instead of permanent staff members.
The lack of transparency in government financial operations has raised concerns about mismanagement and misallocation of funds.
Critics argue that a substantial portion of the budget is allocated to security spending at the expense of other public sectors, further exacerbating the financial crisis faced by retired employees.The expected annual pension amount for many retirees ranges from 40,000 to 50,000 Afghanis (approximately $580-$720 USD), which, although small, is crucial for the survival of entire families struggling with poverty.
Retirees like Abdul Wasse Kargar and Shah Rasool Omari have experienced significant hardship during the suspension of their pensions, including debt accumulation from borrowing to meet basic needs.The World Bank reports that nearly half of Afghanistan's population lives in poverty, with an unemployment rate over 13 percent.
This situation has been compounded by the absence of foreign aid, which previously played a significant role in funding the pension system.
The economic instability and the subsequent loss of revenue have left the government unable to fulfill its obligations to retirees.The impact on families is substantial, with approximately one million people supported by public sector pensions.
The crisis within the pension system predates the Taliban's takeover, but the disappearance of foreign aid has accelerated its financial difficulties.
The Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) emphasizes that the lack of sufficient domestic revenue has made it increasingly difficult for the government to both operate effectively and pay retirees their due benefits.The resumption of pension payments marks a significant development in addressing the economic challenges faced by Afghan retirees, though concerns about the sustainability of these payments remain.
The situation highlights broader issues within Afghanistan's public sector, including financial management, transparency, and the need for stable revenue streams to support essential social services.
This decision marks the end of a four-year pause on such benefits, following the suspension of the public pension scheme by the cash-strapped authorities last year.The resumption of these payments comes as a relief to many retirees, including 71-year-old Abdul Sabir, who expressed his concerns about the financial difficulties faced by those awaiting their pensions.
Demonstrations by retired public sector employees have become increasingly common in recent years, demanding payment from the government since the Taliban took control in 2021.According to pension fund director Mohammad Rahmani, all pending amounts will be distributed to the retirees as part of this resumption plan.
Government officials have also reassured local media that unpaid pensions over the past few years will be disbursed eventually.However, under the Taliban's rule, salaries within the public sector have been significantly reduced and are paid irregularly, with many positions being filled by loyalists instead of permanent staff members.
The lack of transparency in government financial operations has raised concerns about mismanagement and misallocation of funds.
Critics argue that a substantial portion of the budget is allocated to security spending at the expense of other public sectors, further exacerbating the financial crisis faced by retired employees.The expected annual pension amount for many retirees ranges from 40,000 to 50,000 Afghanis (approximately $580-$720 USD), which, although small, is crucial for the survival of entire families struggling with poverty.
Retirees like Abdul Wasse Kargar and Shah Rasool Omari have experienced significant hardship during the suspension of their pensions, including debt accumulation from borrowing to meet basic needs.The World Bank reports that nearly half of Afghanistan's population lives in poverty, with an unemployment rate over 13 percent.
This situation has been compounded by the absence of foreign aid, which previously played a significant role in funding the pension system.
The economic instability and the subsequent loss of revenue have left the government unable to fulfill its obligations to retirees.The impact on families is substantial, with approximately one million people supported by public sector pensions.
The crisis within the pension system predates the Taliban's takeover, but the disappearance of foreign aid has accelerated its financial difficulties.
The Afghanistan Analysts Network (AAN) emphasizes that the lack of sufficient domestic revenue has made it increasingly difficult for the government to both operate effectively and pay retirees their due benefits.The resumption of pension payments marks a significant development in addressing the economic challenges faced by Afghan retirees, though concerns about the sustainability of these payments remain.
The situation highlights broader issues within Afghanistan's public sector, including financial management, transparency, and the need for stable revenue streams to support essential social services.
