This archive report was first published on 21 August 2021.
On August 21, 2021, the first day of the Afghan working week, government employees in Kabul were blocked by Taliban militants from returning to their offices. This move came despite the Taliban's announcement that they would allow government staff to continue working.
Since the Taliban seized power six days ago, government buildings, banks, schools, and universities have remained largely closed. Only a few private firms, including telecom companies, have been operating since the Taliban swept back to power.
Government employees were told to wait for an announcement about when to resume work, with one employee saying, 'I went to the office this morning, but the Taliban who were at the gate told us they have not received any orders to reopen government offices.'
The Taliban have yet to form a government, and in the chaos of a collapsed administration, one of the top concerns among Afghans is continuing to earn a salary. Two days after seizing power, the Taliban announced a general amnesty and said everyone should return to work.
Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid has said the group's new government would be 'positively different' from their 1996-2001 regime, infamous for barring women from almost all aspects of public life. He also announced a general amnesty, stating, 'All those in the opposite side are pardoned from A to Z. We will not seek revenge.'
