ECONOMY — March 25, 2026

Taliban-Run State Companies Directorate Restricts 17 Private Oil Firms

The General Directorate of State-Owned Companies under Taliban control restricted 17 private oil companies for regulatory violations, barring trade with them and setting a one-month deadline to resolve customs issues. The action comes after Taliban blocks on oil tankers in Nimroz province over alleged overpricing.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Hasht-e Subh2 min read

Taliban-Run State Companies Directorate Restricts 17 Private Oil Firms
Image courtesy Hasht-e Subh

KABUL — The General Directorate of State-Owned Companies under Taliban control has imposed restrictions on 17 private companies active in the oil sector.

On Wednesday, 5 Hamal, the directorate warned the private sector and merchants against trading with these companies, stating they had violated laws and regulations. It published the names and details of the firms, which include Farid Ahmad Ghaznavi, Aref Aziz Farahi, Ariana Holding, Shakour Hamdard, Mohammad Na’im Nurzai, Taban Zaranj, Watanwal Brothers, Khalid Mazmel, Ramiz Omar, Hamoon Mahmoud Maliki, Amir al-Taf Halimi, Azarakhsh Afghan, Zubair Azimi, Sepehr Zaranj, Saha Safa and Sepid Line.

The directorate gave the companies one month to complete unfinished customs matters related to oil imports. It warned that failure to comply would result in the revocation of their import rights.

The restrictions follow earlier reports from sources in Nimroz province that the Taliban had blocked most oil tankers there on charges of overpricing.

The sanctioned companies have not issued an official response.

Read the original reporting at Hasht-e Subh

Reliability assessment

Single source (Hasht-e Subh) provides direct, concrete, checkable details: named entity (General Directorate of State-Owned Companies), specific date (5 Hamal), location (Kabul), list of 17 named companies, one-month deadline.

The source language reads straight.

Independent web corroboration

An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.

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EconomyTaliban, oil sector, Nimroz, private companies, customs restrictions

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