Abdul Qahar Ghorbandi, director of the Taxpayers Services Directorate in Kabul, is tasked with revamping tax collection in a nation struggling under harsh sanctions and a failing economy. Once a covert operative, he now navigates the complexities of tax regulation to support an impoverished government.
From Covert Operative to Tax Authority: The Dual Life of Abdul Qahar Ghorbandi
From Covert Operative to Tax Authority: The Dual Life of Abdul Qahar Ghorbandi
In Afghanistan, a former Taliban operative embraces the unusual role of managing the nation’s tax system amid economic turmoil.
Abdul Qahar Ghorbandi has transformed from a covert operative of the Taliban to the head of Afghanistan’s Taxpayers Services Directorate. In his role, Ghorbandi faces the daunting challenge of generating revenue for a nation beleaguered by international sanctions and economic hardship. The charming Taliban representative, donning a black turban, engages daily with Afghan taxpayers, helping them navigate the complexities of tax documentation from his imposing office adorned with Taliban insignia.
The regime’s efforts to enhance tax collection have intensified since their takeover in 2021, attempting to stabilize a deeply fractured economy. Citizens ranging from merchants to service providers flock to the tax office to meet their obligations, driven by the dire need for revenue in a country that has witnessed drastic reductions in U.S. aid—financial support mainly directed toward humanitarian organizations rather than the Taliban government itself.
The ongoing sanctions, especially those tied to the Taliban's policies regarding women's rights, further complicate Ghorbandi's mission. As he pushes to increase compliance and generate funds, he is acutely aware of the delicate balance between governance and public sentiment in a country striving for economic recovery.
