Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada gains sweeping personal control over opponents’ assets under a new decree, raising fears of property seizures and prolonged exile for thousands of Afghans who fled after 2021.

On June 1, 2026, the Taliban administration published a new law in its official gazette that significantly expands the authority of its supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, over property belonging to individuals deemed opponents of the regime. Titled the “Law on the Review of Movable and Immovable Property of Absent Persons,” the decree formalizes procedures for managing assets of missing or absent owners while vesting ultimate decision-making power in Akhundzada for cases involving political adversaries.

This development comes nearly five years after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, as hundreds of thousands of Afghans remain in exile, many retaining ownership of homes, land, businesses, and other properties inside the country.

Dedicated department

The law addresses “absent persons” – those unable to access their property – and “missing persons,” whose status (alive or dead) remains unknown. A dedicated department under the military deputy of the Taliban Supreme Court will handle identification, registration, protection, management, and revenue collection from such assets. This office will coordinate with intelligence agencies, municipalities, land authorities, and banks.

Article 9 draws the sharpest criticism. While ordinary owners or their heirs can reclaim property via judicial order, assets linked to individuals labelled sa’een bil-fasad (“striving for corruption”) – a broad category encompassing those accused of opposing the Taliban, promoting discord, or supporting “corrupt elements” – require explicit approval from Akhundzada, referred to as the “Commander of the Faithful.”

Critics argue the vaguely defined term grants authorities wide discretion, potentially enabling systematic dispossession of political opponents, former government officials, and their families.

Context of Property Disputes

Reports of land seizures and property occupations by Taliban members have circulated since 2021. Former officials, journalists, and rights groups have documented cases of commanders seizing homes and farmland, particularly in rural areas. In one recent incident in Badakhshan province, a local Taliban commander was reportedly detained over illegal land grabs tied to gold mining operations.

The new law may institutionalise such practices under a veneer of legal procedure, observers suggest. Many exiled Afghans, including politicians, activists, and professionals, fear they will never safely return or recover their belongings.

International and Domestic Reactions

Human rights organizations have expressed alarm. The decree risks entrenching arbitrary asset control and discouraging returns, further isolating Afghanistan economically. Western governments, already imposing sanctions and restricting recognition of the Taliban regime, are likely to view this as another authoritarian consolidation.

Inside Afghanistan, the law may appeal to hardline Taliban supporters seeking retribution against the previous republic but could alienate moderate elements and business communities wary of property rights instability.

Broader Implications for Afghanistan

This decree fits a pattern of Taliban governance emphasising centralised religious authority under Akhundzada. Since taking power, the group has restricted women’s education and work and cracked down on dissent.

Economically, uncertainty over property rights could deter investment and reconstruction. Afghanistan’s economy remains fragile, heavily reliant on agriculture, remittances, and limited aid. Disputes over land – already a source of local conflict – may intensify.

For the Afghan diaspora, estimated at several million, the measure complicates decisions about return. Many professionals and civil society figures who fled now see their assets at risk of permanent loss, potentially deepening the brain drain.

Historical Parallels and Legal Analysis

Property confiscation has precedents in Afghan history, from communist-era reforms to post-2001 disputes. However, granting personal veto power to one individual marks a departure, concentrating power further within the Taliban’s supreme leadership.

Legal experts note the absence of clear appeal mechanisms or transparent criteria for classifying someone as sa’een bil-fasad, raising due process concerns under even the Taliban’s own interpretation of Islamic law.

Implementation will test the Taliban’s administrative capacity. The new department must balance revenue generation (through managing seized or absent assets) with avoiding excessive unrest among remaining property owners.

International pressure may mount for protections for displaced persons’ rights. Humanitarian groups call for mechanisms ensuring family members or legal representatives can challenge decisions.

For ordinary Afghans, the law reinforces perceptions of a regime prioritising control over reconciliation. With millions displaced and the economy struggling, property rights remain a critical litmus test for stability.