The jihadists in the city, who shifted from the battlefields to bureaucratic government positions almost two years after the Taliban’s seizure of Afghanistan, are prepared to give up.
The Network Analysts Afghanistan, a non-profit policy research organization, released a report examining how jihadists who arrived in Kabul, the capital city, for the first time were taking over the roles and finding new life in Afghanistan, in order to increase understanding of life in the country.
Samim Sabawoon, the researcher, interviewed five jihadists who had spent several years fighting for the Taliban. In his report, Samim wrote that they considered jihad to be their preferred way of life and all of them spoke broadly about what they considered as their preferred time as fighters.
“Although some said the work in the office was almost unbearable and tedious, the report states that they are now getting used to the routine. They find it necessary to adhere to official laws and rules, which has forced them to shift their way of working within government structures. They have never faced such a requirement to follow official laws and rules before, but they are now compelled to do so within the government structures.”
The interviewees, who work regular 9-to-5 jobs, are frustrated for different reasons. One Tiktoker reviewed articles and quotes from the report and stated, “While we couldn’t defeat the Taliban, bureaucratic work managed to undermine their efforts.”
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Adapted to the monotonous character of desk jobs, the ex-combatants discovered that they longed for the liberty they once had on the battlefront. Huzaifa, a 24-year-old former marksman, expressed, “Previously, the Taliban enjoyed unrestricted freedom, but now we are confined to a single location, sitting behind a desk and a computer around the clock, every day of the week. Life has become tiresome; the routine is repetitive.”
Abdul Nafi, a 25-year-old, expressed that there is not much work to be done in our ministry. He stated, “I primarily devote my time to Twitter.” Furthermore, we have access to fast Wi-Fi and the Internet. Many mujahedin, including myself, are particularly addicted to the Internet, especially Twitter.
It was particularly challenging in the first two or three months, but now we are accustomed to it. On the day when your salary is deducted due to being absent, if you don’t want that, you should stay in the office from 8 AM to 4 PM. Mansur Omar said, “I actually have to put in effort to get paid and show up for the job, considering the ever-increasing traffic jams in Kabul, which I never expected.” The commute to and from work is dreaded, especially with a traditional 9-to-5 schedule.
Lack of social lives
Mansur expressed, “Throughout the majority of the week, we have insufficient opportunities to gather with one another. Consequently, individuals in Kabul, such as myself, labor from 8 AM to 4 PM. Employment has significantly encroached upon their social interactions as well.”
Nafi expressed, “While engaged in the holy war, distinguishing between a leader and a common soldier like myself was difficult.” “Occasionally, I reminisce about the days of jihad due to its positive aspects,” as previously nonexistent power structures are now more evident, and numerous individuals become consumed by the desire for wealth, according to the militants, the sense of unity among fighters has declined.
Kamran, a 27 year-old deputy group commander, yearns for a more modest existence. “Not only have numerous individuals, including myself, now confined ourselves within our workplaces and mansions, but we used to reside amidst the community,” he reflects. “Presently, when an individual is nominated for a governmental position, their initial inquiry pertains to the availability of a vehicle associated with that role.”
Added responsibilities
The government’s work has come with responsibilities and pressures that men did not particularly want or prepare for. In the time of “jihad, the enemy against [attacks] ta’aruz,” there was a very simple life with all of us dealing with plans to deal with the enemy and not expecting much from people who now deem us responsible for retreating, if someone hungry is towards them.
Abdul Salam, 26, says, “Whatever happens in Afghanistan, even a minor misdeed, we are blamed by the media as if the entire world is watching us, and the Taliban is doing this.”
Low pay, high cost of living
Similar to everyone else, they are currently obligated to labor in order to ensure the well-being of their families. The holy war, a religious obligation that previously relieved them from such mundane worries, has concluded. Samim observes that the men were not required to generate income for the sustenance of their families, as the movement took care of their financial needs throughout the period of armed rebellion.
Salam mentioned that he longed for the lower cost of living in Kabul, as he values having a defined goal and minimal oversight, along with the freedom to engage in the jihad. However, Mansur, who doesn’t earn sufficient income to relocate his family to the urban area, has faced obstacles due to the exorbitant rental prices and his comparatively lower wages.
Salam mentions, “If we voice our concerns, fail to show up for work, or violate the regulations, our wages are reduced.” In our region, there is a common saying that money functions as a constraint.