The watchdog for US assistance to Afghanistan claims that the Taliban are benefiting from US-funded education aid through "nefarious methods."

The warning comes from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, or SIGAR. Its report says the Taliban have established fraudulent non-governmental organizations to receive the funding.
The report also claims the Islamist group is extorting local legitimate NGOs by forcing them to hire its supporters or purchase goods from companies it owns.

The report adds that the Taliban often target teachers and students who receive financial support from US-funded education programs under the guise of taxation.

Taliban deputy spokesperson Bilal Karimi denied SIGAR's claims in an interview with local media. He said the group's administration regulates all issues based on the country's interests.

The Islamist group has imposed a raft of restrictions in Afghanistan since seizing power in August 2021.

SIGAR's report claims that Taliban policies have limited access to education at all levels, especially for girls and women, resulting in a decline in the quality of education.