Taliban live a luxurious life while Afghan citizens live in poverty

After the USA has stopped sending financial aid to Afghanistan, the Taliban have become more nervous and are making contracts with several companies to substitute U.S. help with money made by selling Afghanistan's natural resources on discount.

The question arises, whether Afghans inside Afghanistan benefit from this move. The clear answer is no, they won’t. The only group that will benefit is the Taliban, and then mainly the Taliban leaders. The average young Taliban fighter won’t benefit from that move at all, as those natural resources won’t bring that much money to both feed the average Afghan and finance Taliban leaders’ extravagant lives.

It’s not that Taliban leaders even care about the average Afghan; Taliban leaders are as corrupt as many other politicians. They even sell out Afghanistan’s last hotels to foreign companies to fill their pockets, according to an AP article from 1 February 2025: “Meanwhile, authorities in Afghanistan on Saturday clarified the circumstances behind their takeover of the country’s only luxury hotel. The General Directorate of State-Owned Corporations said an international hotel brand, Serena, had signed an agreement in 2003 with the Tourism Promotion Services Company for Afghanistan. This contract was terminated by the Emirates Hotel Company last December. The hotel had continued its operations as usual since then.”

They even sell Afghanistan’s wildlife to the highest bidder lacking any ethics and morals, namely Arab princes from the Gulf countries according to reports: "These hunters, reportedly from the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, have been spotted in Kandahar, the deserts between Helmand and Uruzgan, and parts of Farah province. According to sources, they are targeting migratory birds that use these regions as a winter habitat. A source close to the hunting parties told Amu TV that in addition to hunting birds, some of the sheikhs have also captured desert wildlife, including certain species of sand eels, which they transport abroad."

Gulf Arabs with Afghan birds

Instead of investing or distributing the money, Taliban leaders are looting Afghanistan’s revenue and spend them on their own lavish lifestyle, like buying brand new cars: "Some sources confirmed on 3 February 2025, that the Taliban leader has gifted new cars to about 50 of his commanders and close people. According to the sources, these cars were purchased from Dubai and transferred to Afghanistan."

A brand new car arrives for Taliban leaders from Dubai

Polygamy

In a stark contrast to the austere life they enforce upon the general population, Taliban officials and leading members have been embracing a lifestyle of luxury and extravagance. Reports have emerged indicating that certain high-ranking members are engaging in practices such as polygamy, with some taking new wives.

Bacha Bazi - Taliban-style Child Abuse

Beyond their marital relationships, the Taliban are exploiting the current situation to target young boys, perpetuating a heinous practice known as bacha bazi, or "boy play." This form of child exploitation involves the appalling sexual abuse and exploitation of minor boys, typically between the ages of 10 and 18, who are coerced into prostitution or held captive as sex slaves. Bacha bazi is a deeply entrenched and disturbing aspect of Afghan culture, particularly in the southern and eastern regions, where a pervasive culture of silence and impunity enables perpetrators to continue their atrocities with impunity. The Taliban's complicity in this practice is especially reprehensible, given their professed adherence to a strict interpretation of Islamic law. Nevertheless, their actions have been universally condemned by human rights organizations, governments, and other stakeholders, who unequivocally denounce the exploitation and abuse of children. Those boys later serve as Taliban fighters or their bodyguards.

Luxurious Buildings and Bodyguards

Additionally, these officials are said to reside in opulent buildings, safeguarded by multiple layers of personal security, including several bodyguards. This lavish existence, shielded from public view, presents a jarring discrepancy between the stringent rules imposed on the populace and the privileged lives of those in power.

The situation highlights a profound disparity in the application of the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law. While the general public is expected to adhere to a rigid and austere way of life, certain officials seem to operate under a different set of rules. This perceived hypocrisy can severely erode the trust and credibility of the Taliban among the people they govern. The practice of taking new wives, for instance, while not uncommon in some cultural contexts, raises questions about the consistency and fairness of law enforcement when it appears that not everyone is held to the same standards.

Moreover, the luxurious living conditions and extensive personal security measures underscore the significant economic and social divide between the ruling elite and the average citizen. In a country grappling with economic challenges, the allocation of resources towards the luxury of a few can be perceived as a mismanagement of national wealth, potentially at the expense of essential public services and welfare. The visibility of such extravagance can fuel resentment and disillusionment among a population already struggling with the hardships of daily life under strict governance.

The presence of several personal bodyguards not only signifies the officials' concern for their safety but also their detachment from the general population. This level of security can make it challenging for ordinary people to interact with their leaders, further widening the gap between the rulers and the ruled. Effective governance relies heavily on a connection with the people, which can be difficult to achieve when leaders are seen as living in a manner inconsistent with the values they enforce. The legitimacy of the Taliban's governance is thus undermined by the extravagance and secrecy surrounding the lives of its officials.

Conclusion

In essence, the lifestyle of some Taliban officials, marked by luxury, polygamy, and extensive personal security, reflects a governance model that struggles with legitimacy and trust among its citizens. As the international community and the people of Afghanistan look towards a future of peace and stability, the contrast between the lives of the ruling elite and the everyday experiences of the population poses significant challenges to the Taliban's ability to effectively govern and bring about lasting change.