Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has ordered a 20 percent reduction in the group's security personnel as part of a sweeping downsizing initiative driven by a deepening budget crisis.

The directive prioritises the dismissal of guards and mercenary fighters, placing them at the top of the list for cuts.

Under the plan, 20 percent of staff in Taliban security institutions are to be placed in a state of "active reserve," effectively removing them from duty while maintaining nominal affiliation with the institutions.

In an introduction to the downsizing plan, Akhundzada explained that the decision followed extensive internal consultations and was made in light of “certain important interests.” The directive outlines a tiered system for reductions, with non-professional personnel placed in the third tier, units in stable or threat-free areas in the fourth, and advisors, deputies, and technical experts in the fifth.

The plan also targets individuals recruited after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, including family members of fallen fighters, households with multiple siblings in service, elderly or disabled individuals, those without clearly defined roles, and absentee personnel.

Additionally, the plan mandates the consolidation of departments with overlapping responsibilities and the elimination of excess staff. It proposes reducing the number of deputies within each office, assigning department heads to take on dual roles to streamline operations.

If these measures fall short of achieving the 20 percent reduction target, further cuts will be made in regions deemed secure and less dependent on active security presence.

Those dismissed as part of the restructuring—whether Taliban fighters, collaborators, family members of deceased members, or recent recruits—will receive a monthly compensation of 5,000 Afghanis. The plan also includes a provision granting reemployment priority to those laid off, should future organisational expansion occur.

In recent days, audio recordings of Taliban fighters have circulated on social media, revealing grievances over the dismissals. Many claimed that frontline guards, who played a critical role in establishing and maintaining the regime’s control, were disproportionately affected by the cuts.

Akhundzada's decision comes amid a continued suspension of international aid, particularly from the United States, and ongoing complaints from government employees regarding unpaid salaries.