Taliban Auto-Rickshaw Ban in Herat Leaves Thousands of Drivers Unemployed, Locals Say

Four months after the Taliban prohibited auto-rickshaws from operating in central Herat, local drivers and residents report that the restriction has severely disrupted livelihoods and triggered widespread unemployment. Traffic officers in the city continue to stop, fine, and impound vehicles daily, according to those affected by the policy.

Local sources estimate that the ban has left approximately 50,000 auto-rickshaw drivers without work. The sudden loss of income has forced many into debt and housing insecurity, with several drivers describing the measure as an unjust policy that has upended their financial stability.

The economic fallout is also evident in the local vehicle market. Market prices for auto-rickshaws have plummeted from a range of 150,000 to 200,000 Afghanis to between 50,000 and 80,000 Afghanis, significantly devaluing assets that many drivers purchased through loans or personal savings.

Drivers have also raised concerns regarding the handling of impounded vehicles. Some allege that traffic officers charge a fee, described as a rental payment, to return confiscated auto-rickshaws to their owners. The allegations point to ongoing financial strain for drivers who are already struggling to cover basic living expenses.

The restriction remains in effect across the city center, with traffic police maintaining regular enforcement operations. Local residents continue to call for a review of the policy, citing the widespread economic hardship it has imposed on working families in Herat.