Afghanistan’s Taliban government ends fiscal year early due to budget shortage

KABUL: The Taliban’s Ministry of Finance has announced the early conclusion of the fiscal year 1404 due to budget shortages, with the new fiscal year (1405) set to begin on the first of Hoot (March). Originally, fiscal year 1404 was to continue until the end of hoot, with the new year starting on the first of Hamal (April). However, an informed source indicated that excessive expenditures over revenues and the budget deficit for salary payments in the months of Jadi and Dalwa prompted this change. As per the decision, salaries for the months of Jadi and Dalwa for employees will be covered from the budget of the new fiscal year. Moreover, fiscal year 1406 will commence on the first of Dalwa 1405. In the previous government, the fiscal year started in the month of Jadi, and the budget was approved by Parliament and confirmed by the President. However, after the Taliban’s takeover, the fiscal year now begins on the first of Hamal, with the budget directly submitted for approval to the office of Hibatullah Akhundzada. In recent years, the Taliban has not provided transparent information regarding revenues and budget expenditures, has downsized administrative structures, and has reduced the salaries of lower-ranking employees. Additionally, salary payments for employees have experienced delays in certain months.