A comprehensive report recently released by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs sheds light on the profound disconnect between the linguistic reality of Afghanistan and the administrative policies enforced by the Taliban. The 135-page document underscores that while Persian (Dari) functions as the vital lingua franca for more than 75 percent of the country’s population across diverse ethnic lines, it has been systematically sidelined within the current ruling structure.
Following the political transition in August 2021, the dismissal of republican-era personnel and the consolidation of administrative appointments from southern and eastern provinces have resulted in a heavy tilt toward Pashto. Consequently, government decrees, judicial rulings, and ministerial guidelines are increasingly issued exclusively in Pashto. This sharp shift has severely impeded non-Pashto-speaking citizens from accessing basic public services and legal recourse.
Furthermore, the report highlights the systematic marginalization of other regional languages, including Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, and Nuristani. Once utilized in local administration and education, these languages have been largely expunged from official correspondence, with absolute priority assigned to Pashto within state institutions and school examinations.
International assessments emphasize that this forced linguistic homogenization directly confronts the socio-cultural realities on the ground. By alienating the vast majority of citizens who rely on Persian and other indigenous languages for daily commerce and communication, the Taliban’s rigid bureaucratic approach continues to deepen internal divisions within Afghan society.