The Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, 20 years after their ouster by U.S.-led Western forces.
Since then, they have returned to form, denying women rights and neglecting basic service delivery, wiping out most of the gains the country had achieved. A report issued by the United Nations Development Programme in October 2022 found almost all Afghans living in poverty, with the economy shrinking by 30 percent following the U.S. exit. Additionally, the report stated over 90 percent of the population was suffering from some form of food insecurity, with the situation worsened by the suspension of aid by some countries and international organizations. It noted that development had virtually stalled amidst the conflict between the Taliban and the former government, with significant embezzlement of aid by officials of the past regime contributing to the crisis.
Today, observers report poverty has worsened despite a tangible reduction in corruption. By some estimates, 85 percent of the population lives on less than $1/day, as restrictions imposed by the international community continue to hamper the Afghan economy. Over three years since the Afghan Taliban returned to power, the U.S. continues to block Kabul’s access to reserves of the Central Bank of Afghanistan, while restrictions on banking transactions also persist. The economy has shrunk further due to restrictions on women’s employment, while the country’s agricultural sector has been stagnant for decades and many farmers still use sickles to cut the ears of wheat rather than modern equipment. The only mechanized tools are threshing machines that collect the grain, though even these have not been upgraded in 30 years.
Amidst the prevailing uncertainty, there is some good news too. Recognizing the significant decline to the water table due to its free extraction under the previous regime, the Taliban have initiated work on a 285km-long, 100m wide canal, aimed at irrigating 550,000 hectares. Reportedly, the first 110km phase was completed in record time and includes good quality road bridges and even a railway bridge. Similarly, the Taliban claim to have reconstructed the Salang Tunnel, originally built in 1964 by the Soviet Union to link the northern and southern portions of the country, though critics maintain much work remains. Unfortunately, any work attempted by the Taliban would remain questionable, as conflict continues to threaten the state, especially as the new regime continues to shelter militants that use the country as a base to stage attacks in Pakistan. Without peace, there can be no stability.